Jeffrey Halen: 2021 candidate for Lake Zurich village president

Bio

City: Lake Zurich

Age: Did not respond

Occupation: Marketing/Product Management

Civic involvement: Did not respond

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: This is a multifaceted answer because the decisions made need to be carefully thoughtfully considered and balanced with the potential impacts. I recognize many people's livelihood is at stake with the governor's orders to restrict capacity or faced unemployment, especially in hospitality and food establishments. To protect their customers, many businesses went above and beyond government guidelines to build safe environments that included plexiglass enclosures or spacing tables 10 or more feet apart. In those situations, I could see some compromise that would allow maybe 25% occupancy, which then provides options for both the businesses and the patrons. By protecting the safety of the customer and staff, but allowing the businesses to still operate will hopefully allow some businesses to produce enough money to stay open and retain their employees.

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: There were a few situations that the village of Lake Zurich could have been more effective. 1) Communication: Lake Zurich took a soft approach, communicating infrequently to the public in only the online channels. This limited important information getting to everyone on how the village was handling the pandemic especially as it related to businesses and public safety. 2) Fees: Many businesses followed the mandates to close or restrict business but were still expected to pay the full cost for their business and liquor license. Other businesses and residents took the slower economy to attempt some remodeling or updates which required a permit. In these situations, the village could have reduced or suspended the associated fees. While this does come at a financial impact to the village, many people were also faced with a financial impact and are struggling to make ends meet. 3) Donations: There is an opportunity to bring the community together by highlighting donations people need whether it is food, clothing or money. The village could partner by advocating for charitable organizations, local food banks or pantry's to get collect and distribute these items.

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: COVID opened everyone's eyes to a different form of emergency preparedness that people are still learning. I would put into place a local Lake Zurich task force and a community based task force that would encompass neighboring villages to ensure we were all striving toward the safest environment for our community. This task force would be in charge of reviewing the strategic needs of the situation, educating the public and having the ability to execute the need resources to keep everyone informed and safe.

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

A: Lake Zurich has limited abilities to reduce the burden except for fees and licenses, which I would be in favor or reducing or suspending especially if it is during a time when a business is closed. I would ensure the village is proactively looking for any national or state funds that might be available so we can help offset cost people are feeling. Lastly, I would try to work with the community, including the large corporation and food banks to distribute food and establish a "Go Fund Me" type of situation in which money could be raised to help both individuals and businesses in need.

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: In 2011, Lake Zurich received an allocation to Lake Michigan water. After some initial studies, implementation discussions were put on hold due to the high startup costs. Lake County, state and federal water/wastewater regulations are constantly updated and made more restrictive, resulting in potential additional capital and/or maintenance costs in the future. Lake County made such a change in 2019 with the pretreatment ordinance that required the village to explore options to dispose of the radium produced by its ion exchange process. The village is now actively investing the cost to transition to Lake Michigan water, something that could have been identified and potentially resolved and paid for many years ago. While not technically infrastructure, Lake Zurich replaces vehicles from the capital improvement fund which does fund infrastructure projects. The village currently replaces many vehicles based upon a scheduled time frame and not necessarily the vehicle condition. By better managing the replacement cycle, this is a cost that can be deferred for a short period of time.

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

A: Many of the local businesses went above the recommended guidelines to keep their customers safe even if they remained open.

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: While I don't disagree with the final position the village board took to allow the sale of marijuana because it is legal in Illinois, the process should have been handled much differently. After tabling the discussion in 2019, the village had an opportunity to solicit community feedback while also providing education on the potential benefits and/or detriments of both the sale and use of marijuana. Instead, after a year without discussing the topic, the village board had the Planning and Zoning Commission determine the merits and location without a formal recommendation from the village board, community or facts on why one area may be better suited than another.

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

A: I believe in leading with transparency, sharing both good and bad, to eliminate unnecessary surprises that can weaken voter confidence in their leaders. I would get the village board proactively involved in analyzing village budgets and expenditures, as well as reviewing business development proposals to ensure our residents understood the impact of decisions being made.

Q: What makes you the best candidate for the job?

A: I have lived in Lake Zurich since 2001 and from 2009-2017, I was a village trustee. During my time as a trustee, I became proactively involved in analyzing village budgets and expenditures, as well as reviewing business development proposals to ensure our residents understood the impact of decisions being made. I believe in leading with transparency, sharing both good and bad, to eliminate unnecessary surprises that can weaken voter confidence in their leader. Running as an independent candidate, I chose a nonpartisan approach as I believe decisions that impact our village should be based on soliciting input from elected officials, businesses, and residents, regardless of their political affiliation. In addition to my direct involvement in the Village of Lake Zurich, I worked in the private sector for several global financial institutions and national insurance companies, managing budgets, generating revenue, supervising teams, and making critical business decisions. I want my record, my integrity, and my dignity to uphold and prove my worth. I want to be the example that I would want in an elected official.

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

A: One of my campaign pillars is to support local businesses. Each week on social media, I post a short video to "Explore Lake Zurich" that highlights local businesses through a #lakezurich #shoplocal #eatlocal movement. This is the first of many steps to help bring a positive awareness to the businesses the Lake Zurich has to offer. I would partner with the Chamber of Commerce and the other businesses that are not part of the Chamber to make this an all-inclusive endeavor. This will create a positive buzz about Lake Zurich that will draw additional businesses and people to shop and live here. This will then help the local economy with additional sales tax revenue so the village can continue to provide the excellent service level people have come to expect.