Joliet City Council District 1 Survey: Larry Hug

JOLIET, IL —Patch submitted questionnaires to the candidates running for Joliet City Council in the April 4 election. The following responses were provided by Larry Hug, who is running for a four term of office against Mike Eulitz, who is retired from Joliet's Public Works Division.

Your name:

Larry E. Hug

Age (as of Election Day)

59

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Education

Highest Education Attained:

Northern Illinois University (1987)
Bachelor of Arts; Communications

Occupation

Self-employed: Licensed Independent Insurance Agent (17 years)

Campaign Website

www.JolietNeedsAHug.com

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

Joliet District 1 Councilman

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

The most pressing issues currently in Joliet District 1 is streets & sidewalks and the water aquifer running critically low by 2030. Both have been addressed and solved. We are in the middle of the largest infrastructure improvements program Joliet has ever seen. My plan was adopted in 2021 by a majority of the council to address street resurfacing and sidewalk repair. In short, my plan expanded these repairs from $3 million per year to $18 million a year. As we speak, orange barrels are popping up all over District 1in preparation for this year's repairs. As the District 1 Councilman I will ensure that this program continues as a permanent program.

Concerning water, as Chairman of the Public Works Committee I have been integral to the massive water project now underway to switch Joliet to Lake Michigan Water by 2030. We have recruited six other towns to join the water commission which lowers the cost of this project to Joliet residents.

Moving forward I will continue to focus on the city's infrastructure and public safety. As Chairman of the Economic Development Committee, I will build on the $5 BILLION in new development we've brought to Joliet over the past eight years. This new development pays for the improvements without raising taxes on residents.

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

My experience, accessibility and proven ability to get things done for the residents. Call me about any issue great or small on my personal cell phone (815)325-0875.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

A huge issue in District 1 lurking in the shadows is the effort by several local developers to flood our subdivisions with huge, high density apartment complexes. While apartments are a part of every community, there is a right place and a wrong place to build them. A 780 unit apartment complex in the middle of three or more single family subdivisions is definitely the wrong place. I have stopped over a dozen of these inappropriate developments ranging from 300 units to nearly 800 units. I will continue to protect our neighborhoods and schools moving forward.

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

My success as a private business owner, as well as my involvement with the community, speaks for itself. As your District 1 Councilman I have stopped the elimination of the crossing guards who protect our children every day, created and lead the city's first ever Economic Development Committee which has brought in nearly $5 Billion of new development since 2015 and was a leader in our switch to Lake Michigan water, to name a few.

Why should voters trust you?

My record as an effective, honest and very accessible Councilman has earned residents' trust. They know if they call me, I will get things done.

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

My focus will remain on providing quality city services while continuing to say no to any tax increases for our residents. I will continue to be a driving force behind continued economic development that is the envy of many cities around the state. I will also root out and show no tolerance for dishonesty and corruption.

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

I am a fiscal conservative. Frankly, I feel it is my duty to spend as little taxpayer money as possible while providing maximum quality services to our residents. This is why I am so focused on economic development.

Do you support the Illinois assault weapons ban, and would you support a local assault weapons ban in this community?

I support the constitution and the rights of citizens therein protected.

Do you support Black Lives Matter, and do you think the current board has done enough to support racial equality? If not, what specifically should be done to do so?

I am a councilman, not an activist. Judgement of social issues and the activist organizations involved should be made in the community and by the community. Concerning racism, Joliet rejects all forms of racism. It is a fact that racism exists to varying degrees across the globe. Good and decent human beings reject and oppose racism in all forms when confronted with it. Joliet has tens of thousands of good and decent human beings living in our diverse community.

Do you support the SAFE-T Act? Why or why not?

I do not support the SAFE-T Act. While I am not a law enforcement professional I can see the many flaws in this legislation that ties the hands of our men and women in blue thereby increasing the danger to law-abiding citizens. Frankly, when the overwhelming majority of sheriffs, police chiefs and States Attorneys oppose it that should be a huge red flag for the rest of us.

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?

Violent crime in Joliet has decreased in recent years. We owe a huge thank you to our police force. This type of work is always ongoing. I would encourage everyone to visit the city website and look at Joliet's crime stats. Interesting enough, this very Patch recently ran an article about a business media outlet that ranked Joliet as the 8th safest city (100,000-300,000 population) in the entire U.S. We should all be very proud of this!

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

We have turned that completely around. When I first joined the council Joliet's ratio of residential to commercial was staggering lopsided. The new retail and commercial development over these past eight years has put the ration where it belongs. Commercial developments provide great revenue to the city and other taxing bodies including school districts while not sending a single student to any school and having a lower demand for services from the city.

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?

It's already happening! We have done $5 Billion in new development over the past eight years. It ranges from retail to restaurants and business to commercial. Additions range from Binny's, Chic fil A and Olive Garden to Lion Electric, the first electric bus/commercial vehicle manufacturing plant in the U.S. and five major corporate headquarters that have moved to Joliet. The City of Joliet has never seen this phenomenal level of new development. As always, I look forward to Input and ideas from my fellow residents. Call me on my personal cell phone (815)325-0875.

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

No. Wild horses couldn't drag me away. I love working together with my fellow residents to make Joliet a better and better place to live.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

Integrity is not about what you do when people are watching, it's about what you do when nobody is looking.

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

I'm more interested in what my fellow residents would like to know. Please call me on my personal cell phone (815)325-0875.