Jim Bertucci: Candidate For Arlington Heights Trustee

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, IL — Ahead of the April 6 consolidated municipal elections, Arlington Heights Patch provided questionnaires to all candidates on the ballot.

Six candidates are vying for four four-year trustee seats on the Arlington Heights Village Board on Election Day. They include two incumbents (Richard Baldino and Jim Tinaglia) and four challengers (Jim Bertucci, Will Beiersdorf, Wendy Dunnington and Nicolle Grasse).

Mayor Thomas Hayes is running unopposed.

Arlington Heights Patch is publishing all responses submitted by candidates verbatim.

James (Jim) Bertucci

Age (as of Election Day)

61

Town/City of Residence

Arlington Heights

Office Sought

Village board or city council

Party Affiliation (if a partisan race)

Non-Partisan

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Education

Bachelor of Science in Business
Wharton School of Business Executive Education Certification in Retirement Planning
Certified Financial Planner (CFP)
Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC)

Occupation

Investment Advisor and Financial Consultant for 33 years.

Campaign website

electjimbertucci.com

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

Board of Library Trustees for the Arlington Heights Memorial Library - Previous - Elected
Vice President of Performing Arts at Metropolis Board of Directors - Current - Appointed

The single most pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

Currently, the single most pressing issue is navigating the present COVID Virus crisis to keep our residents safe and to help our businesses survive and recover. As a Village Trustee, I would contribute by using my leadership and financial planning expertise to help current short-term and future long-term expense and revenue planning to strengthen post-pandemic recovery.

Do you support Black Lives Matter and what are your thoughts on the demonstrations held since the death of George Floyd and the shooting of Jacob Blake?

I support the movement to bring greater awareness to the issues of systemic racism facing our country and citizens and to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion for all. I support peaceful demonstrations as a way to advance awareness and work together toward change.

Do you think the current board has done enough to support racial equality, and if not, what specifically should be done to do so?

I applaud the Village commissioning a diversity, equity and inclusion audit and support the current board, mayor and village staff in this effort. This is an opportunity to look at what we’re doing and how to do it better. If elected, I will carefully consider the recommendations of the report for implementation.

What are your thoughts on the national and local coronavirus response? Do you favor measures such as limiting operation of non-essential businesses and restricting indoor/outdoor dining? And do you favor a local mask mandate?

Leadership is about keeping people safe while also keeping local businesses open to the greatest extent possible. If we’re to observe state and federal guidelines and mandates, we also need to ensure that we’re creatively meeting the needs of our local retail and restaurant businesses. Of course, masks are one of the best tools we have to keep people safe up to and after we are vaccinated. I support current Village guidelines and resident education efforts on masks.

What are your thoughts on the state and local coronavirus vaccine distribution, and how do you think local governments should work together to handle vaccine rollout?

It’s clear that there are state and federal level distribution problems that are affecting distribution and availability of supply. As to working together to handle vaccine rollout, this would be best done with medical systems and authorities with the knowledge and ability to manage supply and vaccination sites. Our Village's relationship with our local hospital may be able to be leveraged more. Ultimately, local governments should examine disaster preparedness plans and the lessons from this pandemic to be better prepared for future disasters.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

As a candidate, I combine strong business and local government financial planning experience with longtime leadership in community service. I am ready to hit the ground running to help navigate the pandemic and other challenges to take our community to what I call “Greater Heights.”

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)

It’s not a matter of failure in my opinion. The current Village Trustees have diverse talents and experiences. My talents happen to be similar to the Village Trustee (Burt) who has extensive financial expertise and who is not seeking another term. Thus, this is an opportunity for me to bring my financial background, skills and experience to fill the void left by Burt.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform

I will put my financial and community leadership experience to work protecting our vibrant downtown, realizing opportunities for economic development in the north and south of our town, keep taxes stable and strive for greater inclusion to expand accessibility to our strong community.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

In addition to my 33 year career in financial planning and consulting, here are some of my civic accomplishments and experiences:
> Current Vice President of The Performing Arts at Metropolis Board of Directors
> Past President of the Arlington Heights Library Board of Trustees
> Past President of the Arlington Heights Chamber of Commerce
> Past President of The Rotary Club of Arlington Heights Board of Directors
> Past President of Arlington Heights Crime Stoppers Board of Directors
> Past Chairman of The Arlington Heights Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast Committee
> Past Vice President of Arlington Heights Historical Society Board of Directors
Civic Awards include:
> 2008 Arlington Heights Heart of Gold - City of Good Neighbors Award
> 2017 Business Volunteer of the Year by the Arlington Heights Chamber of Commerce
> 2019 Community Leader of the Year by the Arlington Heights Chamber of Commerce

If you win this position, what accomplishment would make your term in office as a success?

I bring the skills and experience to handle an array of issues, challenges, and opportunities for the Village. I’m not a one-term, single-issue candidate. To me, success would be winning another term beyond this one. Thus, letting the voters decide how well I’ve represented them.

Why should voters trust you?

I love this community and think it’s a great place to live and work. I’ve been a resident since 1985 and raised my children in Arlington Heights. In addition, I began my career here in 1988 and have been an active community volunteer for over 30 years. Also, I point to my past civic record of service, leadership, recognition and awards.

What are your views on fiscal policy, government spending and the use of taxpayer dollars in the office you are seeking?

As a Certified Financial Planner, Chartered Financial Consultant and with my 30 plus years of community service, I bring professional and governmental budgeting experience to the Village Board to support and advance our community. I’m focused on making budget and financial decisions to steward taxpayers’ dollars and interests and realize opportunities for economic development while keeping taxes stable and our village thriving.

Is there any reason you would not serve your full term of office, other than those of health or family?

No

The best advice ever shared with me was:

Live and work by the golden rule: Treat others as you wish to be treated.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

In addition to my financial planning expertise and community service experience, I’d bring experience in intergovernmental relations, agreements, and collaborations, which could benefit our community in these challenging times.
I love this community and it would be an honor to serve as Village Trustee.