Jeff Hoobler: Highland Park City Council Candidate Profile

HIGHLAND PARK, IL — Ahead of the April 4 municipal elections, Highland Park Patch provided questionnaires to all candidates on the ballot.

In the race for Highland Park City Council, there are five candidates running for three available seats. Incumbents Tony Blumberg and Adam Stolberg are seeking reelection, while three newcomers — Jeff Hoobler, Kelly Nichols and Yumi Ross — are in the running for a first term as a councilmember.

Patch is publishing all responses submitted by candidates verbatim.

Jeff Hoobler

Age (as of Election Day)
47

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?
No

Education
BSc in Mechanical Engineering - University of Nebraska
MSc in Mechanical Engineering - Georgia Tech

Occupation
Co-owner of Ravinia Brewing Company - 8 years
Co-owner of BWB Shakes - 3 years
Owner of CN Realty, Managing Broker - 13 years

Campaign Website
www.votehoobler.com

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office
None

The most pressing issues facing our (board, district, etc.) are _______, and this is what I intend to do about them.
I wholeheartedly support Highland Park’s pillars of Public Safety, Fiscal Stability, Infrastructure Development, and Community Vibrancy. All of which serve our community; yet, we can do better. Highland Park needs to be more welcoming, vibrant, and economically dynamic.

As the small business co-owner of Ravinia Brewing and BWB Shakes in Highland Park, I understand what it takes to attract and retain businesses. However, I am concerned about empty storefronts, particularly downtown. It’s why HOOBLER Means Business. This is my highest priority.

To enhance vibrancy I would:
1) Recruit new businesses by add resources to attract small businesses including experiential uses, restaurants, and entertainment.
2) Streamline the process to open new businesses by establishing an ongoing point of contact for new businesses to assist with set-up and successful retention by reducing red tape; expediting processes/permitting/paperwork and lessening costs.
3) Retain current business by initiating a more proactive feedback loop with the City's business development department and increasing resources and staff.
4) Expand events by increasing and enhancing community events to draw people and increase foot traffic to local businesses such as Food Truck Thursdays, The Lot, Taste of Highland Park, Port Clinton Art Festival, and a small business night at Ravinia Festival, etc.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?
As a business owner who lives in Highland Park, I know what it takes to make enterprises thrive here. I am also the parent of three school-age children who currently attend Highland Park’s public schools at Ravinia, Edgewood Middle School, and Highland Park High School. I will bring representation of young families to our City Council.

I am the candidate of change. There are many reasons I love Highland Park and why I am raising my family and investing in my businesses here. But for all the things that work well, the City has failed to successfully revitalize our downtown. The status quo must change and I am committed to improving our business districts.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform
HOOBLER MEANS GREEN
Highland Park has a Sustainability Strategic Plan but we are moving too slowly! We are already experiencing the impacts of climate change.

The City should accelerate electrification in its purchasing and implementation decisions. The City should also educate and encourage residents to do their part. My home is 97% solar-powered, which means during peak hours ComEd buys electricity from us. My family and business partners are always seeking ways to do more. I fully support the City’s composting program that will be implemented for all residents later this year and the serious exploration into what it would take to ban gas-powered leaf blowers by commercial users. Highland Park’s plans are leading edge but I would advocate to add the strategic goal of being carbon-neutral by 2035.

HOOBLER MEANS INCLUSION
I value Highland Park’s broad range of diversity. Our policies, programs, and outreach in all aspects of our City's life – including our community’s emotional recovery from last year's tragedy – must be inclusive of all and provided equitably.

We have a large representation in our residents and visitors from various faiths and philosophies, sexual orientations, senior citizens through young families – from those born here to families who have just moved in, and a mix of ethnic and national diversity. We also have a wide range of socioeconomic diversity. Highland Park has one of the most progressive inclusionary housing policies in the country, something which protects against displacement. We need to continue to ensure our fees are equitable, our processes accessible, and our event programming serves demographics.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?
I am an engineer and a problem solver; I have a disposition and a methodology that sees and approaches every problem as an opportunity for new thinking and innovation as well as cost effective implementation.

I own and operate two small local businesses in Highland Park, one of which opened during the pandemic. During COVID, I advocated to create outdoor dining spaces and parameters that were advantageous to doing business and social distancing. With my help, restaurants in the Ravinia Business District became a destination on the North Shore. I also have been a vocal participant and driving force in multiple events in Highland Park and other communities along the North Shore including Food Truck Thursdays, The Lot, Fall Fest, The Port Clinton Art Festival, Taste of Highland Park, Taco Fest, Winnetka Festival, etc. I know how to bring vibrancy to our community and I will offer fresh ideas to the City.

Why should voters trust you?
As a results-oriented business leader, I know how to put strategic planning into action to analyze problems, review staff reports, listen to other residents, and ask questions of all stakeholders to move our community forward.

I am a neighbor, father, and husband; and together with my wife, Athena, we are raising three children in Highland Park. We are involved with Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, NSSD 112/THSD 113 PTOs, HPHS Track Team, HP AYSO Soccer, Ravinia Neighborhood Association, Highland Park Chamber of Commerce. Through our business, we have raised tens of thousands of dollars for more than 25 nonprofit organizations in Highland Park and the surrounding communities.

I also want to advocate on behalf of younger families and local businesses to ensure another swath of our community is represented. If elected, I will make myself available to listen to all concerns and viewpoints.

If you win this position, what accomplishment would make your term in office as a success?
I would view my term in office a success when there is additional vibrancy in downtown Highland Park and an influx of people who live in our community and patronize our businesses. I’d like to see storefronts filled, house sales active and our trails, parks and open spaces in full use. I would like to leave my term in office with Highland Park in a better place.

What are your views on fiscal policy, government spending and the handling of taxpayer dollars in the office you are seeking?
We need to stop seeing budget dollars spent on business revitalization as an expense. Economic development, by definition, requires an investment mindset. A return on our investment is forward-looking. In our case, the return is clear: more business means more City revenue. More revenue means we can better care for our residents. It also increases our ability to keep taxes in check.

Budgeting is the way we outline priorities: We should reallocate resources to prioritize business development and vibrancy, which are not getting enough attention now.

What is your view of the city's/village's approach to commercial and residential development?
Highland Park can and should do better recruiting and retaining commercial development while respecting the residential nature of our community. We should focus on infill development to enhance our residential and business districts.

We need to have smart development that is innovative in its planning and zoning but honors our character and history. The new construction and housing developments throughout downtown are increasing ‘feet on the ground’, but it is up to the City to attract restaurants, experiential businesses, and retail to Highland Park.

We need a new Master Plan (the current plan is 20 years old) to guide this process in a more strategic way and we must implement it now to influence business development for the next ten years.

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?
Key areas for improvement include a vibrant downtown and other business districts, more recreational development with sister governments, and top-tier live entertainment to attract people to Highland Park with events, shops, and restaurants.

Highland Park needs to establish and focus on its competitive advantages compared to neighboring jurisdictions. We have a large, contiguous downtown area, we have uninterrupted arteries for access to downtown, parks, the beaches, Ravinia Festival, the Botanic Gardens, and other business areas.

We need to foster retail, experiential uses, and development downtown to further fuel our daytime economy. We should also focus on a night time economy characterized by live entertainment. Adding this emphasis helps create an ecosystem of interesting restaurants, lounges, and other artistic venues.

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?
Public safety is paramount. Highland Park is traditionally a very safe community, but national trends coupled with last summer’s extreme tragedy remind us that we need to remain vigilant and support our police department to ensure they have the tools to keep us safe.

Do you support the Illinois assault weapons ban, and do you support the city's local assault weapons ban?
Yes. The Mayor and City Council have been leaders in this area for years. I support the City’s laws and leadership banning assault weapons. I also fully support the assault weapons ban that was recently passed by the State Legislature. However, this issue ultimately needs to be addressed by Congress and local leaders should continue to advocate for an assault weapons ban on the federal level.

Do you think the current board has done enough to support racial equality? If not, what specifically should be done to do so?
Yes, I believe the current City Council has done a wonderful job of supporting racial equality, but there is always more that can be done. Highland Park has a long-standing statement against hate, one of the most progressive inclusionary housing zoning codes in the country, and our MLK Day of Service inspires a year of volunteerism across our community. However, racial equality is a complex issue, even where there is excellent programming and good policies, there is always room for improvement.

We need an ongoing equity audit to ensure processes are accessible for all, fees are not disproportionately burdensome on different populations, and all residents can successfully navigate City processes.

Do you support the SAFE-T Act? Why or why not?
In theory, I support the SAFE-T Act. This very complex bill was passed by the State Legislature, but significant concessions were made to the legislation. After listening to domestic violence advocates and victims’ advocacy groups, I support the main intentions. The bill was a good beginning and our State representatives need to remain vigilant.

Is there any reason you would not serve your full term of office, other than those of health or family?
No. If elected, I intend to serve my full term.

The best advice ever shared with me was:
There is a long list of advice I’ve been given over the years, and I’m always open to learning more. I believe in constant growth. But, ‘seize the moment and go for it’ speaks to me.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?
While I am not a politician, I am a good listener and a quick study. I am a very experienced business owner, engineer, and real estate broker. The City Council doesn’t need more career politicians – it should have a diverse portfolio of talented leaders and professionals who have firsthand experience with how business works – the very area the City needs to improve.

HOOBLER MEANS BUSINESS; HOOBLER MEANS CHANGE!