John Sias: Candidate profile
Bio
Name: John Sias
City: Bartlett
Office sought: Bartlett Library District Trustee
Age (on Election Day): 41
Family: Wife - Suzie Sias, Sons - Billy (12), TJ (11), Charlie (9), and Teddy (7)
Occupation: Small Business Owner & Financial Advisor
Education: BA from Michigan State University - class of 1999. Major in Telecommunication, minor in business
Civic involvement: Trustee of Bartlett Police Pension Board. Appointed by mayor 2016. I am the chairman of the Bartlett Lions Golf Committee. I am also the past President and Treasurer of the Bartlett Lions Club. I was head coach/manager in Bartlett Little League for 5 years from 2013-2017.
Previous elected offices held: Bartlett Library District Trustee - 2 year term via write in ballots (expires 2019)
Incumbent? If yes, when were you first elected? Yes, I am the incumbent. I was first elected in 2017.
Endorsements: None at this time
Website: None
Facebook: Coming Soon
Twitter: None
Issue questions
What are the most important issues facing your library district and how do you intend to address them?
We must keep our library a desirable meeting spot, a hub for community learning, and a safe place for the community to come together, while eliminating our budget deficit. The deficit was over $300,000 2 years ago and now it is well under $200,000. That is real progress and it will be eliminated by not adding new costs and continuing on the path that is working.
Why are you running for office? Is there a particular issue that motivates you? If so, what is it?
My wife, kids, and I are avid library users. One or more of us is there every week. When I was first appointed to this position there was a need for proven leadership in our community to complete the board. Now that I have been elected once and have served for 2 years I have a clearer appreciation for all that goes into running a successful library district. I want to keep the library a welcoming space for my family and the thousands of other families in our district. The job is ongoing.
If you are an incumbent, describe your main contributions. Tell us of important initiatives you've led. If you are a non-incumbent, tell us what contributions you would make.
The contribution I'm most proud of working to reduce the deficit. There are many taxing bodies in Illinois that believe you can tax your way out of any budgetary issues. We are being responsible and keeping costs under control.
Do you have a library card? How long have you had it? How often do you use it?
Yes I have a library card, my whole family does. We use one as the primary for the entire family. It's just easier to keep track of all our borrowings that way. We use it every week during the winter, less frequently in the summer.
What impact have economic and technological changes had on libraries? How does a library remain relevant? How should its role in the community change?
Our library is beyond relevant. It is in demand. I recently read a quote that said, "It's funny that we think of libraries as quiet demure places where we are shushed by dusty, bun-balancing bespectacled women. The truth is libraries are raucous clubhouses for free speech, controversy and community. Librarians have stood up to the Patriot Act, sat down with noisy toddlers and reached out to illiterate adults. Libraries can never be shushed." - Paula Poundstone, National Spokesperson for American Library Association's "United for Libraries". I think that embodies the spirit of our relevant and changing library.