Election 2013: John Fotopoulos

Campaign Info

• Position Sought: Orland Park Village Board
• Website:
• Email: fotopoulosfororland@gmail.com 
• Phone: 708-226-9000
• Hometown: Orland Park

Personal Info

• Family: Cary, wife; Maria, daughter; Spyro, Peter and Alex, sons
• Education: St. Laurence High School (1989); University of Illinois at Chicago (1992) Accounting and Finance; John Marshall Law School (2000)
• Occupation: Attorney
• Political Party Affiliation: Republican

Candidate Questions

Why are you seeking office?

As a father of four young children, I want to make Orland Park the best place to raise a family.

What will be your single most important priority if you get elected?

Reduce taxes.

What sets you apart from other candidates? 

Not only do I live in Orland Park, but my law practice is located in town. That allows me to stay in touch with the needs of our community at any given moment.

Mayor Dan McLaughlin has spoken previously on the importance of fostering Orland Park as a retail hub. Should the village also work to diversify its tax base through other types of businesses, and what types would you suggest? Why or why not?

I will concentrate my efforts on developing the I-80 corridor and create new jobs. It is important to diversify the tax base, which will in turn reduce of the tax burden on the homeowners.

Construction has begun on the Main Street Triangle. With units within the Ninety 7 Fifty apartment complex soon to be opened, what else should be built or established within the triangle area to ensure the extensive investment will be worthwhile?

Let me start by stating I do not support the decision to build almost 300 apartments in the Main Street development. With that said, the remainder of the development should concentrate on attracting high end restaurants and specialty stores to cater to all the residents of Orland Park.

How do you propose keeping a tighter budget that doesn’t burden taxpayers, while keeping Orland Park accessible, competitive and desirable?

First, we have to eliminate wasteful spending in the budget. We need a strong police department, public works and recreation programs as well. This is a few of the reasons why we moved to Orland Park. However, I believe the rates residents pay to use the amenities should be reduced and the nonresident rates should be increased. Residents pay the taxes and should be able to afford using the facilities.

Can anything else be done to help residents with costs other than the property tax rebate?

We must strive to diversify the tax base and reduce the burden on the homeowners. As I stated in an earlier answer, the I-80 corridor must be developed to generate more revenue.

Recently the village was able to sell off part of the debt obligation for the Ninety 7 Fifty project. How else can the village work to reduce this debt?

We need to get out of the apartment rental business. Government officials should not be using our tax dollars for private development. If the incumbents want to develop real estate they should step and do it with their own personal funds, not ours.

Would you support term limits for trustees and the mayor? Why or why not?

Yes. The present trustees have been in office for over 20 years and they have lost touch with the needs of our community. Furthermore, what many residents do not know is that the present trustees qualify to receive a pension for their part-time elected position. No wonder our state is in this financial condition. Term limits may be a way to prevent trustees from qualifying for a pension.

What are your thoughts on the village’s use of TIF districts? Has the village used them effectively? Why or why not? Would you do anything differently with TIF?

I do not agree how the Village is presently using TIF districts. Typically a TIF is used as a tool to acquire future gains in taxes to subsidize current improvements. Further, sales tax revenue may increase as a result of a TIF. This type of financing is used to channel funds to underdeveloped and underutilized projects. The present administration has been using TIF projects to finance areas that are not underdeveloped. I would not support using TIF districts where the guidelines have not been met.

Have you ever been charged with a crime? Were you convicted? If yes, please say what the charge was, and what was the case's outcome as it stands.

No.

Are there any candidates in other races you would like to endorse here?

No.

Read about other candidates running for the Orland Park Village Board in the April 2013 election.