One Orland Party Candidate: Chris Kasmer

ORLAND PARK, IL — Meet Chris Kasmer, the Village Trustee candidate running with the One Orland Party in the April 2021 Consolidated Elections. The election is April 6.

Kasmer recently filled out the Patch candidate survey, and his answers can be found below.

If you are a candidate for the April election, and would like to answer our Patch candidate questionnaire, please email yasmeen.sheikah@patch.com.

Chris Kasmer

Age (as of Election Day)

41

Town/City of Residence

Orland Park

Office Sought

Village board or city council

Party Affiliation (if a partisan race)

One Orland Party

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Education

Completed apprenticeship through the Chicago Regional Council of Carpenters Apprenticeship Training Program
DePaul University, Chicago Bachelor of Arts degree
University of Illinois - First-ever recipient: Certificate in Global Labor Studies Education Program

Occupation

Full-time staff for the Chicago Regional Council of Carpenters August, 2004-present
Union carpenter, various contractors, 1998-2004

Campaign website

https://OneOrland.com

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

Trustee, Chicago Transit Authority Retiree Health Care Trust, a municipal retirement fund that provides benefits to retired transit workers. 11 years served including multiple terms as the Chairperson and Secretary.

The single most pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

The single most pressing issue facing our community is eliminating corruption. I would like to see the Village enact a ban on political contributions from any entity operating in the Village, especially those who stand to benefit from the sales tax sharing scheme, video gaming, or a liquor license. While it’s difficult to discern whether Mayor Pekau strong-arms local business for campaign contributions as he hands them our Village’s future tax revenue, in my view it’s a conflict that will dissuade other businesses from wanting to locate here. Policy should dictate that officials not accept contributions from businesses that directly benefit from policy changes; e.g.: The Village eliminated mechanic positions and sent vehicle maintenance to Joe Rizza Ford resulting in a donation of $14,000 to Mayor Pekau in the form of a campaign contribution.

Do you support Black Lives Matter and what are your thoughts on the demonstrations held since the death of George Floyd and the shooting of Jacob Blake?

All people have the right to peaceably petition the government for redress of grievances, including demonstrations that highlight racial disparities. I condemn the damage of private property on principle but also because it harms the progress made by those who seek to make our world a better place through peaceful means.

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

I commit to listening to concerns of all residents and doing my part to see those concerns through, including concerns over racial inequity. I am not currently aware of racial inequity issues in the Village but going forward I would like to see the village sponsor or coordinate some Interfaith and multicultural activities like the International Fest hosted by Jerling Junior High’s PFE for many years. It’s a chance to learn from community members about their heritage and sample traditional dishes. I believe events like these build social capital and trust among residents of different religions and ethnicities and make our community stronger and kinder.

What are your thoughts on the national and local coronavirus response? Do you favor measures such as limiting operation of non-essential businesses and restricting indoor/outdoor dining? And do you favor a local mask mandate?

My view is that all businesses should be allowed to operate with mask requirements and capacity limits to allow customers and workers to maintain CDC recommended six-foot distances. I would vote in favor of a mask mandate, both as a symbolic gesture and out of necessity to rid ourselves of this virus. It should also signal the village’s overall support for businesses, who have to enforce rules to protect its patrons and its workers. Mask mandates may also assure our elderly or health-comprised residents that they can shop and take care of other necessary personal business without undue risk. Telling these residents to “stay home if you’re scared” is offensive. We don’t tell residents to drive as fast as they want on 159th Street and to stay home if they are scared. Reasonable rules are sometimes needed to protect everyone’s safety.
Mayor Pekau’s response to the pandemic has been reckless, self-promoting and not befitting a time of crisis. Mayor Pekau’s recklessness is seen in the recent controversy at Skyzone, which is unacceptable in our village. Mayor Pekau clearly signaled to businesses to do whatever they want, and the Skyzone controversy is the predictable result. Businesses and residents deserve predictable and consistent enforcement of clear rules. Mayor Pekau’s wasteful and self-serving lawsuit and frequent television appearances were meant only to promote Pekau’s regional profile to serve his own statewide political ambitions. The wasted $60K+ tax dollars could have been put to use supporting our locally owned restaurants and other businesses that have struggled due to the pandemic.

What are your thoughts on the state and local coronavirus vaccine distribution, and how do you think local governments should work together to handle vaccine rollout?

Local governments should absolutely work together to handle vaccine rollout. That starts with representatives of each level or division of government working together to know what each other’s capabilities are, and working to improve those capabilities, identify bottlenecks, and fill gaps rather than publicly claiming expertise where none exists.

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

I see clearly the current leadership is not in touch with people – they mislead with misinformation and out of context attacks, they use bullying to get their way, and they are hiding deceptive practices that benefit their own self-interest or that of their buddies. And frequently, I hear residents complaining about Village leadership ignoring them or telling them the challenges our communities face are simply not their problem to fix. I want to be open and listen to residents – I want to call out the truth and stick to facts over spin. I am doing this for my family and my neighbors because I want our community to know and trust the people representing them in townhall.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)

Mayor Pekau’s so called People Over Politics party has failed to bring independent voices to the board. At times, Trustees Milani and Healy can be seen reading from scripts provided to them. I invite readers to view Milani during the Committee of the Whole meeting from 1-4-2021 starting at the 34 minute mark (

) ; he reads directly from a script. I invited readers to watch Healy read from a script during the discussion of a mask mandate on 12-21-2020 from the 1:14:45 mark (

).
Our Village deserves representatives that will listen to residents, research issues and represent the views of residents the best they are able. So far, Pekau’s slate has only represented one view – Pekau’s view.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform

The One Orland Party is prioritizing public safety, economic prosperity and running local government in a fair, ethical, and transparent way. We are sick of the negative campaigning and political spin. We want to be honest with Orland Park and walk them through how we are making decisions in their best interest and get their feedback on the job we’re doing at every step of the way.

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

As a trustee on the CTA’s Retiree Health Care Trust I have proven to be an independent voice focused on acting in the best interests of the participants and the taxpayers who fund it. I have stood against management trustees when they would have preferred to ignore funding needs to “kick the can down the road” and I’ve stood strong against other labor trustees when they desired to enrich benefits the plan couldn’t afford. During my tenure on the board, the plan was able to lower contributions (“the tax”) from 6% to 3% of CTA’s total payroll while maintaining, and in some cases improve benefits all while maintaining over 100% funding.

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

More than anything I would like to see the political temperature in Orland Park turned down before it boils over. I pledge to never insulting or belittle ing my fellow board members or residents. On top of that, I’d like to see the Triangle Project continue. Contrary to how residents have been misled, that project is and was financially successful and will set the stage for more service and entertainment opportunities in the village, rather than just retail.

Why should voters trust you?

I would hope that my 5+ years as a volunteer for the Orland School District 135’s Parents for Education (PFE) and my four years as the PFE District-wide President show that I’ve always made a sincere effort to be a positive force in improving our community. I’ve spent many hours and hundreds of dollars supporting that organization. I haven’t done any of that out of self-interest. In all honesty, voters shouldn’t simply trust any candidate. I want residents of Orland to fact check all of us. Please, vet us. Look past our opponents’ exaggerated, inflammatory language and propaganda. When you see what our slate stands for, you’ll know you can trust me and the people I’ve chosen to run with and bring change with.

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

I am against waste, fraud, and abuse and I have demonstrated that while serving on the CTA RHCT. Most residents desire a high level of services and Orland Park has been a great value for our tax dollars for decades, so I wouldn’t reduce services in the Village just to make minimal tax deductions. For example, I was against Mayor Pekau’s effort to end subsidized rides for disabled residents in Orland Park. I’m against Mayor Pekau’s elimination of leaf clean up services in parts of the village, even though my neighborhood was not impacted directly by this change.

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

No

The best advice ever shared with me was:

Be honest and you’ll never need to remember anything

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

We’re here to get back to putting Orland Park over our own interest or using the town as a political football. We want to unite the community and move forward together. As a father and a community member, I am running to be part of what I believe will be best for the future of Orland Park.

I am seeking this office because I listen to people in Orland Park and feel in touch with what people in Orland Park want and need. I promise I will continue to take the time to listen to them, whether they are attending a board meeting or out in the community. It pains me to see the disdain with which residents are treated when they bring an issue to the village. In my professional life I teach a collaborative leadership model, which emphasizes respecting and encouraging the ideas of others and trying to find solutions that all stakeholders can claim ownership to. I want to bring this spirit of collaboration to the village board and village programs.

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