Matt Posthuma, Hinsdale Trustee Candidate

HINSDALE, IL – Incumbent Matt Posthuma is one of four candidates for three seats on the Hinsdale Village Board.

Here are his responses to the Patch questionnaire:

Name:

Matt Posthuma

Town of residence:

Hinsdale

Age:

55

Campaign contact email:

mattposthuma@gmail.com

Family:

My wife Erica and I moved to Hinsdale in 1999 and have raised our three boys here. Thomas and Andrew graduated from Hinsdale Central and are now in college. Evan is a sophomore at Hinsdale Central.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No.

Education:

University of Michigan (BA), Harvard Law School (JD)

Occupation:

Attorney - Partner, Ropes & Gray (law firm)

Previous or current elected or appointed office:

I have served on the Village Board for eight years (two terms). For the past four years, I have served as chairman of the Administrative and Community Affairs Committee (ACA), which oversees Village finances, employee matters and parks. I also serve on the Zoning and Public Safety Committee and the Tree Board. Before being elected to the Board, I served on the Village Finance Commission for seven years (one partial term and two full three-year terms).

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

As chairman of ACA, I take a particular interest in Village finances. I do not want the Village to become like the State of Illinois or the City of Chicago, which have unsustainable spending and are headed off a fiscal cliff. I am the Board member in charge of the Village budget. I carefully
evaluate all proposed expenditures to make sure that they are reasonable, appropriate and in the best interests of the Village as a whole. I approach all proposed revenue increases with skepticism and consider them only when they are fair and necessary. I am keenly focused on maintaining the Village’s treasured AAA credit rating, which allows us to borrow at the lowest possible interest rates when it makes sense to finance projects with debt.

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

Michelle Fisher, Neale Byrnes and I are running as a slate. We are current Board members, and each served on a Village Commission before joining the Board. We are all long-time residents of the Village. We are not beholden to special interests and are committed to do what is in the best interests of the Village. We are generally aligned in our positions, but focus on different areas in our work for the Board. Michelle focuses on parks and beautification. Neale concentrates on infrastructure. My area of emphasis is financial matters.

I do not know the positions of Carlos Aparicio, but note that he has only lived in Hinsdale since 2021 and consequently may not have a good sense of the character and priorities of the Village. He has not had any involvement with the Village Board or Commissions.

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

I am proud of what we have been able to do in the last eight years on the Board. The completion of our master infrastructure plan, the downtown parking deck, the I-294 pedestrian bridge, the paddle tennis upgrades at KLM, the new HCS Family Services space in the old Hinsdale Humane Society building, outdoor dining and the Memorial Hall renovations are some of our biggest accomplishments for the Village.

Unlike boards in the past, our Board has been collaborative and professional. We have worked together to do what is best for the Village.

I am particularly proud of my work as Chairman of ACA. Village CFO Carrie Dittman and I have worked hard to upgrade the Village’s budgetary process, move resident payments online and maintain our AAA credit rating and excellent financial condition.

I also feel that my experience as a transactional attorney is helpful in drafting ordinances, reviewing contracts and evaluating other legal and financial matters for the Village.

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

The Village is one of the few communities in the State of Illinois that has a AAA credit rating. It is a delicate balance to maintain a high quality of Village services and infrastructure, while limiting unnecessary expenses and minimizing increases in taxes and fees. The past few years of high inflation have been challenging, but we have kept Village taxes and spending under control. The Village continues to have cash reserves exceeding 25% of expenses, which is a key metric desired by the credit rating agencies. As a result, the Village finances are in excellent shape.

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

When the Village adopted the Master Infrastructure Plan in 2009, 33% of the roads in Hinsdale were judged to be poor or very poor, with only 35% considered excellent. In 2024, 68% were judged to be excellent, with only 6% poor and none very poor. While this is a great improvement, we need to continue to take care of our roads. Roads resurfaced in 2009 will very possibly require resurfacing soon. We have also made significant progress with improving drainage. New stormwater vaults have been installed to eliminate water pooling in areas previously prone to flooding. Our next step is a new master infrastructure plan for our water and sewer mains, below the streets. Among other things, we are making a connection with Burr Ridge’s water distribution system, which when complete will give us an alternate source of water in the event of issues with the DuPage Water Commission line.

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

We have an excellent police department. Chief King and his team work hard to keep us safe and are proactive in identifying places for improvement (e.g., parking, stop signs and e-bikes). The Village is very fortunate to have them. The Police Department has my full support.

Was the village right to provide incentives for owners of historical homes? Why or why not?

Hinsdale is very unique in its inventory of historic homes. The Board has tried to give incentives to homeowners to preserve their historic homes without restricting property rights. Most of these incentives are zoning and permit relief. Modest financial incentives can show alignment with homeowners, but should not limit the financial priorities of the Village.

Should the village allow video gambling or recreational marijuana sales in town? Why or why not?

No, these are inconsistent with the character of our Village.

State law requires towns such as Hinsdale to submit affordable housing plans, but the village is late by nearly a decade. Should the village turn in a plan? Why or why not?

The deadline for submitting an affordable housing plan under the Illinois statute (AHPAA) is in June 2025. The Village intends to comply with that deadline.

How do you feel about gated neighborhoods?

Gated neighborhoods are generally not appropriate in a mature community with dense housing stock like Hinsdale.

Should the village president and trustees take political contributions from village contractors or those with zoning or other matters before the board? Why or why not?

Our slate is self-funding our campaign and is not taking any political contributions.

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?

Michelle Fisher, Neale Byrnes and I are running for re-election for the Hinsdale Village Board of Trustees. Local experience matters, and all three of us currently serve as your Trustees.

We are long-term residents of Hinsdale and believe that raising our children in this vibrant Village is a privilege. We are dedicated to Hinsdale and will energetically work to provide a continued level of excellence and professionalism. Our goal is to continue to provide balanced, collaborative and responsible leadership.
Our commitments to you are clear:

• Full support of our Police and Fire departments
• Maintain the Village’s AAA credit rating
• Protect and enhance Village infrastructure
• Improve our parks and fields to meet the needs of our families and athletes
• Promote and support our vibrant business districts and outdoor dining programs
• Encourage preservation of historic homes

With a new incoming president, it will be important to have an experienced Board who can provide knowledge, continuity and stability as we work together to make our Village an even better place to live, work and raise our children.

Vote #1, #2, #3, Michelle Fisher, Neale Byrnes and Matt Posthuma, for Hinsdale Village Board of Trustees.