Nag Jaiswal: 2023 candidate for Naperville City Council, 4-year term

Bio

Town: Naperville

Age on Election Day: 53

Occupation: Digital Transformation Advisor, Senior Technical Architect

Employer: Salesforce

Previous offices held: Naperville Human Rights and Fair Housing Commissioner

Q&A

Q: What is the most serious issue your community will face in the coming years and how should the city council respond to it?

A: Our elected leaders must understand that the decisions they make have a direct effect on home values and the future of Naperville families.

When I decided to relocate my young family, I was attracted to Naperville for its commitment to low-density housing and its diverse, yet tightly knit community. We must maintain that.

Most of our critical infrastructure in Naperville, including many public services, was designed with low-density housing in mind so it's imperative we have solutions in place that don't alter that and negatively affect our homeowners.

And keeping housing affordable is important, especially for those like civic employees and seniors, to help maintain an equal living environment.

Q: How would you describe the state of your community's finances?

A: We should encourage economic growth to maintain our status as a premier place to do business. Using my experience as an entrepreneur, I will push for the city to incentivize innovation and minimize the barriers to entry for new businesses in Naperville.

With working families hurting from inflation and a lagging economy, it is more important than ever our local government holds the line on taxes and fees.

With outside factors like rising utility and energy costs making life even less affordable for our residents, I'll fight to safeguard taxpayer dollars and keep spending in check to keep local government costs as affordable as possible for our homeowners, taxpayers, and residents.

Q: What should be the three top priorities for spending in your community during the next four years?

A: Water works (underground pipe replacement), phosphorous cleanup, security, mental health

Q: Are there areas of spending that need to be curtailed? If so, what are they?

A: Naperville city finance team has done an excellent job so far. Any future spend will require similar best practices that are currently in place.

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

A: Aging water works is the top priority, paid for by municipal bonds. We must maintain that. Most of our critical infrastructure in Naperville, including many public services, was designed with low-density housing in mind so it's imperative we have solutions in place that don't alter that and negatively affect our homeowners.

Q: Describe your experience working in a group setting to determine policy. What is your style in such a setting to reach agreement and manage local government? Explain how you think that will be effective in producing effective actions and decisions with your city council.

A: I am a servant leader who puts organization ahead of personal objectives. I encourage team inputs, empower them to make decision, take everyone along and above all set a strategic vision for the team.

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

A: As a technologist and digital entrepreneur, Nag has advised and assisted global industry leaders for nearly 30 years, including being a C-Suite advisor to Fortune 200 companies. He combines his passion for public service with his professional expertise, serving on the board of the City of Naperville Human Rights and Fair Housing Commission and the Illinois Indian American Advisory Council.

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

A: Fixing the residential/commercial tax disparity in South Naperville that impacts District 204 and quality of life in general for residents. Current ratio is 95% (residential) vs 5% (commercial). An ideal balance would be 80%-20%.

Focusing on commercial projects in South Naperville will alleviate current budget gaps school system is facing.