Mark Madej: Candidate profile

Bio

Name: Mark Madej

City: Village of Schaumburg

Office sought: Trustee

Age (on election day): 62

Family: Married to Sherry for 37 years with two sons, Scott (34) and Shane (32).

Occupation: Field technician

Education: Triton Community College

Civic involvement: Village of Schaumburg Trustee; Current Chairman of Health and Human Services Committee; member of Transportation Committee; member of Engineering and Public Works Committee; former member CEDA Board of Directors and various standing committees; former Septemberfest Layout Co-Chair; former American Red Cross Disaster Relief volunteer; former Boy Scout leader.

Previous elected offices held: Village of Schaumburg Trustee

Incumbent? If yes, when were you first elected? Appointed to Village of Schaumburg Trustee 2005; elected 2007; re-elected 2011 and 2015.

Website: www.friendsofschaumburg.com

Facebook: Mark Madej for Schaumburg

Twitter:

Issue questions

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

Village residents and businesses are always concerned with property taxes. The Village of Schaumburg's portion of the property tax bill is just under 7%. I will continue to work with the Mayor and fellow Trustees to identify additional sources of revenue and limit our budget so we can continue to reduce the village's property tax just as we have every year since the tax was first levied in 2009. It is important that we continue to lobby for a fair resolution to the pension crisis, even though Schaumburg is in a better financial position than many other municipalities. The goal of our 2016 Pavement Management Plan was to reduce the number of streets in need of reconstruction. We have made substantial progress and we need to continue to maintain and improve the local roads for our residents.

What makes you the best candidate for the job?

I have successfully served the Village for over 13 years as a Trustee. Due to my diligence and experience I have acquired the knowledge needed to make thoughtful decisions that benefit our community. As the Village of Schaumburg transitions to a new mayor I believe it is important for a new mayor to have the support of an experienced Board. My exemplary attendance at board and committee meetings reflects my dedication to our residents and business community.

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

I respectfully listen to everyone's opinions and seek out all options available before making decisions. I am steadfast in my beliefs, but I am able to compromise with fellow board members to reach a consensus when better alternatives are presented to benefit the community.

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?

The Village of Schaumburg has an award-winning finance department with a AAA bond rating. Over the past five years, total revenues have increased at a higher average rate than expenditures. General fund revenues have also increased at a higher average rate than general fund expenditures. In 2019 there will be a reduction in debt service payments that will most likely result in a favorable reduction of our tax levy. The Village maintains a more than adequate reserve fund that can be used, if needed.

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

As an incumbent and a very proactive Trustee, I am always sharing new ideas with fellow board members. Past examples include the LED street lighting program; a community honeybee yard; electric car charging stations on the municipal grounds; and a Surface Weather Observation Station (AWOS) at the airport.