Lester Ottenheimer: 2025 Candidate For Buffalo Grove Trustee

BUFFALO GROVE, IL — Ahead of the April 1 consolidated municipal elections, Buffalo Grove provided questionnaires to all candidates on the ballot.

Three four-year trustee seats and one two-year trustee seat on the Buffalo Grove Village Board will be up for election in April, according to the Village. The 2025 Consolidated Election will take place on Tuesday, April 1.

Current trustees Joanne Johnson, Lester Ottenheimer and Denice Bocek are all running for reelection, while Paulette Greenberg will be on the ballot to gain a seat. The term is four years.

Buffalo Grove is publishing all responses submitted by candidates verbatim.

Lester Ottenheimer

Campaign website: www.LesforTrustee.com

Town/City of Residence: Buffalo Grove

Office Sought: Buffalo Grove Village Board trustee

Party Affiliation (if a partisan race): nonpartisan

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government? This includes any relatives who work in the government you're running for.

My son Scott Ottenheimer is a Northfield Township Trustee.

Occupation. Please include years of experience.

Practicing attorney 40 plus years. Managing Member of Ottenheimer Law Group, LLC.

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

Currently a Village of Buffalo Grove Trustee.

The most pressing issues facing our (board, district, etc.) are _______, and this is what I intend to do about them.

The biggest issue facing Buffalo Grove is LGDF (Local Government Distributive Funds) which is a portion of tax revenues that goes to Illinois municipalities from the State of Illinois. The purpose of LGDF is help keep local taxes down. However, the state keeps decreasing the amount of LGDF to municipalities including Buffalo Grove.

It is important if not imperative that every resident contact their state representative and state senator to put pressure to ensure that the State of Illinois stops the declining amount of LGDF dollars. This necessarily means that Buffalo Grove needs to continue its conservative forecasts and continues to embark on its current fiscal policies.

In addition, Buffalo Grove needs more sit-down/family restaurants. This means reaching out developers and restaurateurs to solicitate them and engage them to locate in the Village of Buffalo Grove.

Through my leadership, knowledge and passion for the Village, Buffalo Grove is thriving and has seen tremendous upturn in economic development. Examples include, but are not limited to The Clove--a complete redevelopment of Town Center into a vibrant hub for residents and businesses---Bison Crossing--a complete transformation of the old Rohrman property into a thriving space featuring a Tesla dealership residential and commercial developments--continued growth along the Dundee and Lake Cook corridors including opening of the new Public Works facility and the start of the Fire Station 25 rebuild Buffalo Grove is a place that get things done-from responsive public services to forward thinking, urban planning and fiscal responsibility during my time on the Board.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform

Economic development, transparency and fiscal responsibility. For a more detailed explanation see answer to next questions.

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

As a result of the hard work and dedication, I am proud to say those efforts are paying off.

Woodmans, has built a store in Buffalo Grove and with it came the development of the Shops of Buffalo Grove Shopping Center

Over the past several years the Village has entered into various agreements with a number of industrial companies to encourage them to either relocate to Buffalo Grove or increase their presence in the Village. The nature of those transactions allows the firms or companies to recoup their relocation or expansion expenses and costs through a sharing of the new or increased sales tax generated by those entities. This has meant significant revenues to the Village including the revenue generated from Woodmans.

This all resulted at no cost to Buffalo Grove taxpayers and enabled the Village to cover expenses for services it provides that otherwise would have been paid for by increased sales taxes. While not as visible as some other developments, this is REAL economic development that provides for a broad and sustainable economic base for the Village now and in the future.

Through hard work and perseverance, Town Center has been totally redeveloped into what is now known as The Clove. In addition, other economic developments have occurred such as the soon-to-be opened Lazy Dog and the redevelopment of the Dundee Corridor, which includes a Tesla dealership as well as residential and commercial properties. (Bison Crossing).

There are plans for redevelopment of existing strip malls and more. This creates tax dollars which eases the burden on residents.

Since I have been on the board, I have worked hard to keep property taxes down--with no increase in the last 6 years.

Since my tenure on the board, the Village has achieved an AAA Bond rating and has won numerous awards for financial management. And because of such sound fiscal management, the Village has been able to continue to deliver services while having a flat tax levy. This is made possible only because of the prudent financial management that the Board has exercised and I am proud to have played a role in that.

I have always been a believer in transparency in government. The Village has made it a priority to educate and inform all the residents of all village business which is relevant to them and the Village has an open-door policy. The Village has reached out to all sectors of the community and has urged all to get involved in Village Government.

I want to continue to work on those issues and ensure that those policies are forever perpetuated. I want to finish what I started.

I am an honest and direct person. I believe in giving back to your community and have a strong compassion for making the Village of Buffalo Grove the best community for its residents.

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

I would like to continue to provide quality core services for the residents of Buffalo Grove without raising taxes. I will continue achieving what I have already achieved in my previous terms which is economic development, transparency and fiscal responsibility.

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

Buffalo Grove's fiscal condition is extremely solid. The property taxes have remained flat for the last 6 years and the Village has substantial reserves. The Village has an AAA Bond rating which enables the Village to borrow money at a lower cost, all of which means savings for the residents. I want to continue on this solid fiscal path.

What are your thoughts on the crime rate in your community, and what more can be done to combat crime — especially violent crime — in town?

Buffalo Grove is a very safe community and violent crime is at a minimum. We have an outstanding police department and our commitment to the safety of the residents is a priority.

What is your view of the city's/village's approach to commercial and residential development?

The current path which the Village is taking for commercial and residential development is working. We have established outstanding relationships with both residential and commercial developers as well as industrial developers which have encouraged them to develop residential and commercial projects in the Village. I intend to continue fostering these relationships.

When it comes to development, what are some key areas for improvement or additions you feel are most wanted by residents? What will need to be done to make this happen?

Cambridge Commons and Chase Plaza are very much on the Village's radar. Because commercial developments are privately owned, the Village has limited ability and control over a developer. However, with incentives and the creation of TIF districts, owners of these properties will now benefit by improving these eyesores.

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

No

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

In summary, my 3 prong approach to Village government is economic development, transparency, and fiscal responsibility. The Village is currently experiencing unprecedented economic development and prosperity. The Village's finances are as strong as ever and the Village is receptive to any and all questions, complaints and concerns residents may have. Buffalo Grove is a place that get things done - from responsive public services to forward thinking, urban planning and fiscal responsibility. All of which were done during my time on the board.