Jim Murre, 2021 candidate for Hoffman Estates village board

Six candidates for three available seats

Bio

City: Hoffman Estates

Age: Candidate did not respond

Occupation: Retired Hoffman Estates Police Officer (1992-2017) and currently a real estate broker at Coldwell Banker

Civic involvement: I have been a regular sponsor of community activities including the Fishing Derby and Holiday Lights Decorating Contest.

Q&A

Q: How do you view your role in confronting the pandemic: provide leadership even if unpopular, give a voice to constituents - even ones with whom you disagree, or defer to state and federal authorities?

A: I believe that during times of uncertainty leadership is essential. It's absolutely necessary to listen to the concerns of constituents so the kind of relief most needed can be given priority. As an elected official it's necessary to make tough decisions that are in the best interest of those depending on you, even when those decisions might be unpopular with some. These decisions should be made with guidance from specialists and within the parameters of the law.

Q: Did your town continue to adequately serve its constituents during the disruptions caused by the pandemic? If so, please cite an example of how it successfully adjusted to providing services. If not, please cite a specific example of what could have been done better.

A: N/A

Q: In light of our experiences with COVID-19, what safeguards/guidelines should you put in place to address any future public health crises?

A: I think that the village health department and code enforcement should work in tandem to develop a committee that would oversee health and safety protocols in public high-risk environments. These would include day care centers, restaurants and bars, senior facilities, schools, and grocery stores. There should also be a protocol in place that would identify testing sites and vaccine locations. The committee would also be responsible for rapidly obtaining an adequate supply of tests and vaccines for the treatment of all village residents. It's out-of-the-box thinking that allows communities the capability of being successful for their constituents. We recently saw how the communities of Addison, Bensenville, and others teamed up to successfully stage a mass vaccination for its residents. It's just not good enough for our elected local officials to consistently rely on the county or the state to do the work for them.

Q: What cuts can local government make to reduce the burden of the pandemic on taxpayers?

A: Many opportunities for cuts currently exist within the village. Wasteful spending has been its own burdensome epidemic. During the pandemic, the village decided to spend millions of taxpayer dollars to regrade and update the Hideaway Brew Garden located in the west end of town adjacent to the equally burdensome NOW Arena. To ease some of the burden moving forward, the village needs to eliminate the wasteful spending dedicated to keeping the NOW Arena open. Since the village took over the facility in 2001, it has never had a single year of positive cash flow. This fact is in contrast to Mayor McLeod's promise that the venue would result in a minimum of $1 million excess revenue after paying operating expenses. Currently, the village dedicates between $1.5 million to $3 million per year to keep the doors of the NOW Arena open. This exorbitant amount represents 14% of the village's overall operating budget and is a burden not sustainable. In the short term, spending cuts to ease the burden of the pandemic and taxpayers would likely include some cuts to village-sponsored entertainment events such as the 4th Fest and also fireworks during the lighting of the village's holiday tree.

Q: What do you see as the most important infrastructure project you must address? Why and how should it be paid for? Conversely, during these uncertain economic times, what infrastructure project can be put on the back burner?

A: The most important infrastructure project that needs to be addressed in the village remains the unsatisfactory drainage which has been problematic for years. Rainstorms frequently result in flooding, road closures, and property damage. This project could be funded through a couple of sources including public and private grants. Additional revenue for the project could easily be generated by eliminating the spending that is currently being allocated to the NOW Arena. Along this topic, it's interesting to note that before 2001 when the village purchased the (Sears Centre) NOW Arena, funds allocated to road revitalization and infrastructure within the village was significantly greater. Since 2001 the village has made drastic cuts to spending on vital village services including its infrastructure and public safety to budget the funds necessary to keep the arena doors open.

Q: Do you plan to address businesses that don't adhere to the governor's order to close or restrict business?

A: I am a firm believer in law and order and following the recommendations of experts. I'm also a firm believer in listening to those most affected during these difficult times and working on solutions that include relief, innovation, and progressive thinking. Our small businesses have had an extremely difficult time this past year. The village needs to work with them and offer them some financial relief and assistance such as flexible license fees. I have spoken with many of our local business owners who tell me they are frustrated. They see firsthand the relief and innovation provided to the businesses by the villages that surround us. This frustration is magnified when our businesses receive no such assistance and are further threatened with late fees if their bills are not paid on time.

Q: Do you agree or disagree with the stance your board/council has taken on permitting recreational marijuana sales in the community? What would you change about that stance, if you could?

A: Yes, I actually do agree with the board's current stance regarding recreational marijuana sales in the community and I would have probably also voted in favor of it myself. The tax revenue opportunity has the potential to be beneficial. The only restrictions that I would feel necessary include restrictions on the location of dispensaries concerning proximity to schools, parks, day care centers, churches, etc.

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

A: One area regularly overlooked by our village is services to elderly and disabled residents. The village generally refers to elderly and disabled residents to utilize services offered by the township and the county but these services are not always within reach or practical. Even a simple Pace bus ride has limited availability and astronomical costs due to the current boundaries of Pace services covering only a fraction of the village's actual borders. This void needs to be filled. The needs of our senior and disabled residents must be a greater priority for our village rather than an afterthought to be passed off to the township and county.