Noel Talluto: Candidate profile

Bio

Name: Noel Talluto

City: Elmhurst, IL

Office sought: Alderman, 4thWard

Age: 43

Family: Husband: Marc Talluto, Children: Lucas, Aniella, Colton and Carter

Occupation: Alderman, Vice Chair Development, Planning and Zoning Committee

Education: MBA, University of Michigan (Ross) Business School, 2003; BS Mechanical Engineering, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign; 1998

Civic involvement: Elmhurst City Centre board of directors, ex-oficio; Immaculate Conception Parish Parishioner and Children's Church volunteer; YMCA Youth sports coach; Elmhurst Baseball and Softball League Youth sports coach; League of Women Voters of Elmhurst Member; Immaculate Conception Grade School Parent's Club Treasurer, AYSO volunteer

Previous elected offices held: currently serving as Alderman, 4thWard Elmhurst

Incumbent? If yes, when were you first elected? Yes, elected in April 2015.

Website: www.noeltalluto.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/noeltalluto4elmhurst

Twitter: n/a

Issue questions

What are the most important issues facing your community and how do you intend to address them?

Elmhurst is a unique community with great services and a charming downtown. As I walk the neighborhood to hear peoples' thoughts it is clear that we still need to address stormwater, continue to promote a vibrant downtown, and ensure our Police Department has the facilities to do their job well.

I was a leader in implementing three stormwater projects in the 4thward and eight projects citywide since 2015. These projects are impactful to friends and neighbors who now don't have to worry when a storm comes. I will recommend more stormwater initiatives for the Brynhaven neighborhood and throughout town.

A thriving downtown continues to strengthen our community and keeps residential city taxes low. I championed the Elmhurst Downtown Plan, which allows for thoughtful downtown development. I fought for neighbors' concerns about areas proposed to become more commercial, by ensuring they kept the character they have always had.

Elmhurst is in the top 20 safest US cities. A recent study identified a need for additional space for the Police. I have personally toured the station and spoken with the Chief about the departments' needs. I will ensure the Police have what they need to remain the best.

What makes you the best candidate for the job?

My experience as Alderman for the last four years, serving the people of the 4thWard, is what I believe makes me the best candidate for this job. I have proven results and I know how to get things done with City Council and Staff. I successfully fought to lower taxes by 11 percent since 2014, implemented improved pedestrian and vehicle safety at more than six intersections in the 4thWard and implemented the 2016 Downtown Plan, providing for measured growth in that area.

Personally, I have visited with thousands of 4thWard residents as Alderman, listening to folks' concerns, resolving complaints and learning what is important to the people that I represent. This personal connection and deep understanding of where people feel our community should be headed, helps me to make decisions that are in line with the way my constituents think.

I am dedicated to our community, interacting with friends and neighbors daily as a volunteer at Immaculate Conception, the YMCA, Elmhurst Baseball and AYSO. I also feel that my 15 + years of business experience and educational background help me to be a successful negotiator and get the best outcome for residents in all policy decisions I make.

Describe your leadership style and explain how you think that will be effective in producing actions and decisions with your village board or city council.

I have a collaborative leadership style that has delivered results as Alderman for the last four years. As a leader, I believe it's important to listen. In 2015, video gaming was an issue in front of the council. I actively engaged residents of the 4thWard to understand their position. Residents were overwhelmingly against it and I voted to oppose it.

I collaborated with Council and Staff to reduce City Taxes by $1.3MM or 11 percent since 2014 while maintaining the superior services residents expect, and completing necessary stormwater projects. I have worked with residents, leading multiple efforts to improve safety such as adding stop signs, pedestrian crosswalk signage and adding police patrols to key intersections.

Additionally, my collaborative leadership style has been instrumental in the measured growth we see across Elmhurst, which has a positive impact on lowering the individual tax burden, while enhancing the quality of life and desirability of our town as a place to live.

Looking forward, my proven, collaborative leadership approach and ability to proactively communicate with residents, will help me drive initiatives that need leadership to succeed. These include stormwater projects, measured development and ensuring the Police Station facility is first-rate.

How would you describe the condition of your community's budget, and what are the most important specific actions the town should take to assure providing the level of services people want?

Elmhurst's finances are in excellent condition and this is good news for everyone who lives here. It is through thoughtful financial policy, measured development and superior services that Elmhurst is in the strong financial position it is.

Since 2014, I have led efforts to reduce our City Taxes by $1.3MM or 11 percent, while maintaining a balanced budget and enhancing public services. During this time, Elmhurst's assessed property values have increased 32 percent, we have maintained an AAA bond rating and won the GFOA Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for the 12thconsecutive year.

However, we need collaborative leadership to continue to realize our vision. I will advance policies that support the superior services and quality of life that residents expect. One of the most important things we can do is to continue to grow our commercial tax base. Increasing this base allows us to reduce the burden on the residential taxpayer while maintaining superior services. Recently, I led the approval of the five sub-area plans to encourage development in key areas identified by Elmhurst's Strategic Plan. Through measured growth, we can ensure that Elmhurst maintains it's strong financial position while protecting the charm and character that makes it the special place it is.

What's one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?

One good idea I support is implementing a citywide 5G network. Elmhurst has been, and continues to be, a leader in our area. My vision for Elmhurst is to keep the strong community feel while innovating and adapting to the changing times. A city wide 5G network would accomplish that.

This citywide 5G network could be a new infrastructure service provided to all residents, businesses and city service providers at a low cost. This would be a service that everyone would benefit from, much like other infrastructure and utilities that Elmhurst has provided for decades such as water, sewer and garbage services.

Experts like Alex Marshall, a Senior Fellow at The Regional Plan Association in New York City say "Clearly great advantages will accrue to any city or region that offers lightning fast internet access to all its citizens and businesses at a low cost."

As our lives increasingly depend on information and technology, a citywide 5G enabled Elmhurst would be a leading pioneer in providing the community with high speed infrastructure and access to information. This idea would support the new ways we are connecting and living, while continuing to keep the charm and character of our community strong.