Bolingbrook Election 2013 Candidate: John Randall

Personal information 

• Age: 70 
• Family: Three adult children: Lara, Linda, and Jim; Eight grand-children
• Education: Southern Illinois University (Carbondale, 1965); B.S. in Education (major in English); Certified secondary education teacher (English, biology, history)
• Occupation: Real estate appraiser, tax assessor
• Political Party Affiliation: Republican
• Previous Elected Offices: Bolingbrook Park District Commissioner (1987-1996); DuPage Township Assessor (Appointed, then elected) (1988-2013) 

Applicable experience qualifying you for the position: Experience as mortgage loan officer and originator; Excess of 4,000 hours of classroom student and instructor (appraisal applications); Experience with setting governmental budgets and estimating tax levies; Licensed real estate broker (1967-2013); Field, fee, and review appraiser; private practice (1970-1996); Certified Illinois Assessing Officer (C.I.A.O.); Member, International Association of Assessing Officers; Will County Assessor’s Association (Past President); Deputy Assessor, Lockport Township (1997-2007); Deputy Assessor, DuPage Township (1997-1998); Assessor, DuPage Township (1998-2013); Bolingbrook Community Band (third trumpet, third chair)

Candidate questions  

Why are you running for office?

Having lived and worked in the community since 1975, I know the neighborhoods and the history of the area. I believe I bring a rich working knowledge to a complicated and sensitive job.

What will be your most important priority if you get elected?

This is a very pointed question that asks for the “most.” The mission is to get the numbers correct; that is the law. Correct is spelled out in the state statutes, not in the minds of the public.

What sets you apart from the other candidates?

My sense of humor.  Remember, assessing is taxing work.

How long have you lived in your community and/or been active in local issues?

Our family moved here in April 1975, and I got involved in local matters after Oak View School burned on New Year’s Day evening (1980). A lot of people got involved after that. I guess I stayed active in an early incarnation of the Chamber of Commerce, Rotary, Lions, and youth sports. 

What’s your favorite thing about DuPage Township?

There are an awesome number of, simply, nice and genuine people in the area. They are a pleasure to around. Specifically, within the township office, my staff is outstanding and fun to work with. 

What are the biggest challenges facing DuPage Township, and how would you address them?  

Within the context of the assessor’s office, the challenge will continue to be the education of the public that property taxes are a function of the level of goods and services they receive from the several taxing bodies. The assessor neither assesses nor sets the taxes upon properties. Politicians are not bad people; we are your neighbors. Property taxes are a direct reflection of what the public wants, e.g., uniforms to show up when they need help; books on your library shelves; safe playgrounds; a food pantry; plows after a snow storm; teachers to man the ramparts. With the recent bursting bubble and decline in real estate values, the taxing districts are studying their services and how to more efficiently deliver them. It is an ongoing dilemma.