Jacob Hill, Elmhurst Ward 2 Candidate

ELMHURST, IL – Incumbent Jacob Hill is one of two candidates for the Ward 2 seat on the Elmhurst City Council.

Here are his responses to the Patch questionnaire:

Name:

Jacob Hill

Town of residence:

Elmhurst

Age:

51

Campaign contact email:

hillward2elmhurst@gmail.com

Family:

Wife Amy, sons Sam (15), Ben and Jack (11)

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Education:

MBA, MLIS (Information Science)

Occupation:

Tenured professor and research librarian at Elmhurst University since 2003

Previous or current elected or appointed office:

City Alderman, Ward 2

The single most pressing issue facing the city is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

We need to spend more time with strategic planning and understanding our community’s future needs. For example, we find ourselves in a situation where we must catch up to the replacement schedule on water mains. The age of our city water mains is no secret, with some that are almost 100yrs old…yet we find ourselves bracketed into late-stage water rate increases to cover the costs. There has been a disconnect between planning and budgeting for these needs over the years, and we might have been able to make better decisions had we put water infrastructure (and other things) ahead as priorities many years ago. As I’ll remark later in this questionnaire, I feel we could have done something similar for the police station...but now, our options have narrowed.

I know we can’t change the past, but going forward, what do we need to do to plan for the future (even 10, 20, or 30 years away)? What will the Elmhurst of 2055 look like? How can we keep Elmhurst’s unique feel, while also keeping it affordable? How can we adapt to future needs, without forgetting the past? These are parts of the central theme of future-planning that I hope to address through council discussion, referrals, and joint efforts.

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

My opponent has mentioned creative solutions for generating city revenue as a central campaign message, but he has provided very little in the way of actual examples (even before he was a candidate) to the council or the public. He also supports pending city projects and issues that have substantial costs, without relating ideas on how to pay for them. Additionally, he’s also scorned some innovative ways in which we could generate revenue and/or authorize new revenue streams. I’m open to discussing all ideas, good or bad, and judging them on their own merit…whereas I’ve not seen his openness on any topic.

Unlike my opponent, I also have a consistent record of challenging city issues, questioning city budget costs, and engaging in discussion over ways to plan for the future. Examples would be my public comments on pushing back against significant city marketing cost increases in the budget, and airing concerns over future city development, such as the train station.

Last point- there is a wide economic range across our ward. We have big new homes and people living in smaller legacy housing. To be candid, academics like me are not well-paid. I know what it’s like after living in Elmhurst for 20yrs to struggle, to fix your own cars because you can’t afford a new one, to shop secondhand. To worry about household expenses and live in an older, affordable house. My wife and I both have to work to make ends meet. I think that my perspective benefits all of my constituents, both the well-off and not-so-well-off…and that makes me a better alderman.

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

I have a longstanding record of engagement on City Council. In fact, I believe I have submitted more referrals (alderman-sponsored items for committee review) in the last 4 years than any other alderman. I think this demonstrates my creativity and problem-solving skills. Some examples of my initiatives are:

• residential code improvements for sustainability
• cost-sharing for residential projects
• veteran’s city sticker initiative
• sidewalks in 2nd Ward and across the city
• expanding trolley routes
• 2nd Ward flooding remediation
• fiscally responsible city budgeting practices and business development
• pedestrian, traffic and railroad safety proposals
• food trucks and business zoning revisions

I am also very active in town. Aside from working at Elmhurst University, I have been involved with multiple groups, including:

• City Veterans Commission and Elmhurst University Student Veterans Association
• Lake/York Business Association
• American Legion board and Elmhurst Memorial Day Parade group
• Elmhurst Walk and Rollers (pedestrian advocacy)
• Elmhurst University BlueJay 5k Board

Are the city government's taxes too high, too low or just about right? Explain.

We have essentially kept the city’s portions of taxes flat in years, even as we fund ever-increasing pension obligations for police and fire. I hope it’s understood by the public that the vast majority of our property tax bill is not city tax levies, but school district levies. That has been a big driver of property tax increases, but it's partially a consequence of a well-performing district.

I think that the city has done an excellent job here, even with major city improvements. There are options for that to continue, if we carefully evaluate new revenue sources (e.g. development), approve reasonable, cost-effective projects, and consider alternate forms of revenue (e.g. real estate and more). I will do my best to make sure all possibilities are at least considered and discussed. Although it’s sad to see the character of Elmhurst change, I’d rather help implement some change, than have an immutable town that few can afford to live in.

How do you feel about the downtown apartment and condo development in recent years?

I’m not a fan of the density of recent downtown Elmhurst development, but higher-density developments ARE a way to get needed tax revenue to move forward with crucial infrastructure improvements. It’s a balance between the charm of low-density (but low-tax-generating) development and the tax base we need to get things done. Is this worth the extra traffic, the congestion, the loss of Elmhurst’s unique charm? Maybe, and maybe not. But it’s an issue all cities are dealing with. I don’t want us to become like Oak Park, but we cannot have a low-density “Main-street USA” downtown without creating other challenges with respect to revenue needs.

What is your view of the city's maintenance of its infrastructure?

Delayed, but getting better. I spoke to this in the first question, and I think that we’re catching up with where we should have been all along. I’m also glad we’re improving our infrastructure with things like sidewalks, updated traffic control devices, and other features of a modern municipality.

Has the city done a good job in handling stormwater issues?

Overall, a very good job. We are rounding the corner on the last few larger-scale projects that have been scheduled in sequence over the prior 10+ years. Although any future large-scale storm could change the equation, I strongly believe we are in a much better position than we have ever been to address extreme rainfall events.

What is your assessment of the police department's performance?

Excellent. I encourage all citizens to read the annual police report. I serve on the council’s Public Affairs and Safety Committee, and I have been lucky enough to have many long-term conversations with Chief McLean. Under his aegis, we have an amazing police force, and I’m sure most residents agree.

Does the city need a new police station? Why or why not?

Yes, it does. The case for need is well-documented on the city website and in public documents, minutes, and presentations.

However, I’m not happy with the situation we’ve found ourselves in. I believe there were opportunities to incrementally correct some of the deficiencies at the station over the past 20 years, at a much lower cost. I think that if these issues had been identified- some were, it appears, but not all- and funded correctly, and used in conjunction with long-term facility improvements, we could have been doing a (relatively) inexpensive addition as opposed to tearing it down and rebuilding a new one.

In 2025, it appears the existing station is really not worth the additional investment for renovation. It’s a package of deficiencies that are close, cost-wise, to that of a new station. We’ve reviewed options thoroughly and I can’t really see a way to justify putting more money into a station that really was (it seems) never well-thought out.

Do you support a property tax increase, in part, to pay for the new station?

Yes and no. The property tax increase for the station averages out to around $50/yr for average-valued homes in Elmhurst. That’s a pretty good outcome for a huge capital project. However, that cost is given in a vacuum...there are other costs and projects that the city has to address in the future. At some point, I believe we’ll need to find more tax revenue and/or liquidate some city assets to help offset debt. There needs to be frank discussion if we want to do our part to keep household costs more affordable in Elmhurst.

What is your view of the city's decision last year to raise water and sewer rates by 28 percent?

In many ways, it’s a consequence of our legacy, as I mentioned in my first answer. The Finance committee is looking at ways to scale costs based on consumption to help offset future cost increase, which I support. Perhaps that is a way to avoid issues in the future, but it remains to be seen. This issue is currently before a committee.

Should the mayor and aldermen take political contributions from city contractors or those with zoning or other matters before the council? Why or why not?

No, I see it as a conflict of interest. Though for the most part, my campaign is self-funded.

Should the city allow video gambling or recreational marijuana sales in town?

Video gambling is covered by state law and IS allowed in civic organizations in Elmhurst, though I think it’s a feature whose time is past, and the revenue to the city (as a taxable portion of the hosting business) is relatively minor. Additionally, I don’t see video gambling as something our households use or value, for the most part.

Recreational marijuana use is allowed, of course, and I do think Elmhurst misses some revenue that other surrounding communities have captured. However, in 2025 it seems like a somewhat saturated market at this point. I also have no clear picture of how we feel dispensaries fit with our community image in this day and age. I would support a city referendum on this topic, if we address it.

Should the city do anything to make housing more affordable in town? Why or why not?

The definition of “affordable housing” is important to understand this issue. For context using state guidelines as they apply to Elmhurst, “affordable housing” is currently estimated as housing valued at around $202,000-$204,000 or less. Developers are simply not going to build housing at these price points without significant subsidies from our city to make up for lost profits. Apartments deemed as “affordable” are those with rents below $1,200. Again, this rate is not easy to find.

Even with these restrictions in place, Elmhurst is very close to affordable housing goals as defined by the state. I think one way forward is to allow and encourage accessory dwelling units (ADUs), which could generate reasonable rents, alternate forms of income, AND a way for multi-generational families to accommodate housing in creative ways. It has to be done right, but municipalities all around us are doing it. We can, too.

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?

I’m a research librarian. My job is to be open, to listen to evidence and read and learn before I stake out a position. And I change my mind if the evidence shows a better way, or my peers or constituents present me with a better argument. I do not pretend to know the answers to lots of questions, but it’s my duty to find out.

I think openness and a spirit of inquiry are qualities that my constituents would value for an alderman. Many issues which seem so simple at first glance are in fact quite complex, and require nuance. Also, I believe that my record of innovation on council, and my willingness to speak publicly to issues big and small, shows my engagement as a councilmember. I’m not quietly sitting by- I’m in the arena, and doing my best to help Elmhurst. I can thank my background as a servicemember and an educator for preparing me for leadership roles, and I want to continue doing that.