John Egofske: Candidate For Lemont Village President

LEMONT, IL — The consolidated election, which features several local races, will be held on Tuesday. As a way to help keep voters informed, Patch offers candidate questionnaires for all candidates in local races.

One of those races in Lemont is the race for Lemont Village President. Incumbent John Egofske is running unopposed for the position, which he has served in since 2017.

Egofske recently filled out the Patch candidate questionnaire, and his answers can be found below:

Lemont Election Guide 2025: What’s On The Ballot, What To Know

Your name:

John Egofske

Campaign Website/Facebook*

www.PartyofLemont.com
Facebook.com/Party of Lemont

Office sought:

Village President

Town/City of Residence:

Lemont

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

Yes, my wife Louise Egofske. Louise Egofske has served as the Lemont Park District Executive Director for the past 15 years.

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office:

Currently serving as Mayor of Lemont (Village President) for past eight years. In addition, served as Illinois State Representative (82nd District) in 2023.

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

Our PARTY OF LEMONT ticket (Trustee candidates Ken McClafferty, Kevin Shaughnessy, Samuel Forzley and Clerk Charlene Smollen) want to personally thank our entire community for the opportunity to serve and continue the incredible and excellent progress we have achieved over the past several years in our beautiful town of Lemont.

Hard to believe but just eight years ago, we had historical buildings empty, an aging downtown with little life, along with lack of basic businesses and recreation opportunities. We promised change and publicly shared a detailed Ten Point business plan to address the most pressing issue of improving our economic development throughout our town but specifically to our downtown. Looking back on that plan, we are pleased to report “MISSION ACCOMPLISHED.”...However we have much more to do!!!

Landmark buildings and neglected areas of town have been brought back to LIFE! From Pete’s Fresh Market, to restoring the bowling alley, to cleaning up the corner of Route 83 and Main St, to filling and re-energizing our downtown.

We are now recognized as one of the most desired locations in the area to reside and together we can make it stronger! With your support we wish to continue to make it not only GOOD, and GREAT, but FANTASTIC as well!

We will continue our success accordingly:
#1. BY CONTINUING TO ENCOURAGE FIRST-RATE BUSINESSES
To have high quality places to shop and visit, we need high quality places to reside and recreate. We will continue our recruiting efforts and we thank all of you that have supported the many new restaurants, shops, and businesses. We will continue to partner and invest to make Lemont a Recreation Destination, improve biking/pedestrian connectivity, protect unincorporated borders, and methodically consent higher-end housing.

#2. BY PRESERVING OUR PAST…AND BUILDING THE FUTURE
We have recruited and re-energized our historical downtown while maintaining the charm and character that dates back over 150 years ago! Our downtown is our heart and soul and we will continue to embrace our rich history, maintain our historical physical landscape, and advocate our many community events throughout town.

#3. BY CONTINUING TO PROVIDE EXCELLENT & EFFICIENT SERVICES FOR OUR RESIDENTS
Lemont has just been rated the #16 Safest Town in the State of Illinois and we thank all of you and our first responders! Our Public Works department is second to none in keeping our city clean, streets clear, and water running….and little known fact: Lemont has the lowest water/sewer rate in the area. We will continue to prudently invest in the future by increasing reserves, reducing pension liabilities, and increasing infrastructure investment.

If you are a challenger, what would you bring to the board or plan to change?

N/A

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform:

(See Above)

We will continue to partner and invest to make Lemont an outdoor Recreation Destination and improve biking/pedestrian connectivity.

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

I am proud and happy to report, the EXTRAORDINARY SUCCESS and PROGRESS we have recently achieved has transformed our hometown of LEMONT into being recognized as one of the BEST PLACES TO LIVE IN ALL OF THE CHICAGO SUBURBS!!! (Chicago Magazine July 2024).

In addition, over the past five years our HOME SALE VALUES have INCREASED OVER 40% (Zillow.com) representing one of the highest values in the area and in the Southwest Suburbs!

Also, we were just recognized as one having one of the TOP SAFEST CITIES in the State of Illinois. I want to thank our police force and our LEMA department for serving and protecting us.

Together with all of our public partners including our excellent Schools, Park District, Township, and Library as well as private outdoor amenities such as The Forge, Lemont has been designated with a MONIKER as a “MECCA FOR MILLENNIALS “ as well as a “RECREATION DESTINATION”.

In summary, over the past several years we have significantly and successfully transformed our entire town:
1. Rebuilt and rejuvenated our historical downtown (added 30+ new businesses and repurposed 20+ acres for future new recreation park and bike bridge connectivity)
2. Recruited, reopened, and rebuilt landmark buildings including Pete’s Fresh store, The Forge outdoor adventure park, and downtown’s newest building Marbella of Lemont
3. Over ten years ago, Lemont lost over 1,800 acres to neighboring towns and we were involved in costly litigation to lose even more territorial land/subdivisions. We immediately worked with States Attorney office and major land owners to resolve costly lawsuits and even reversed previous de-annexed territory (Glen Eagles)
4. Re-branded and developed Lemont into an outdoor recreation destination

Why should voters trust you?

Doing what you promised to do is the only way to develop trust. In addition, throughout my professional career I always strive to "under-promise" and hopefully "over-deliver". I am a retired registered Certified Public Accountant (CPA) that served as a Chief Financial Officer (CFO) the majority of my 27 year career in corporate finance. I have achieved a successful track record which includes professional corporate experience in legal, negotiations, real estate, accounting, finance, contracting, and information technologies.

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

In summary, continue the incredible and excellent progress we have achieved across many fronts over the past several years while still preserving our rich history.

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

As a retired Chief Financial Officer and Certified Public Accountant with 27 years in corporate Finance, I feel very strongly about our prudent fiscal accountability and we are proud to have made it one of our top priorities over the last eight years. Fiscally managing a town is like managing a business in that you must make tough decisions in order to provide the most efficient quality service at the most economical cost. Through our economic growth plan and increased business sales we have been able to maintain lower property taxes (only 7 cents of every tax dollar goes to village). Additionally, unfunded pension liabilities across our State of Illinois and surrounding cities are becoming the #1 cost driver that continues to grow by billions of dollars annually. That is why we are proud to say we have methodically paid down and lowered our Lemont Unfunded Pension Liability Debt by approximately 40% over the past eight years.

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?

First off, I want to thank our community and our outstanding Lemont Police Department considering our town of LEMONT has just been recognized as the #16 SAFEST TOWN IN THE STATE OF ILLINOIS! We understand that safety and crime prevention are critically important services. We have made a concerted effort to support our police and emergency staff accordingly: 1) empowered our police commission to prioritize and improve the hiring process of new officers 2) purchased and installed new technological automobile License Plate Readers (LPRs) at the entrances of our town to deter crime and 3) increased police and safety officers on duty for major community events.

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

Eight years ago, we committed to a plan we shared to tirelessly recruit and streamline both commercial and residential development. A couple of great examples was the new $5M+ Pete’s Fresh Market Store and the $25M+ Marbella downtown development as well as the $10M+ The Forge outdoor adventure park. Though it is extremely difficult and time consuming, we have been able to attract high quality developers and businesses to invest in our town of Lemont. It is very important we only have high quality and controlled growth that fits the rich character and history of our town.

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?

Development must be controlled, high quality, and be able to properly be absorbed into our current infrastructure. For example, downtown parking will continue to be a point of emphasis and existing lots will need to be re-purposed to accommodate this need.

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 love our town of Lemont and it is definitely the Best Place to be!! Personally, I enjoy donating back to our community and will continue to not take a salary or contributions. Our community is special and I am proud to have had the opportunity to serve our town and look forward to improving it even more over the next four years! Let's together keep up the great work and progress!