AJ Pasek, Candidate For Mayor Of Palos Hills: Election 2025

PALOS HILLS, IL — AJ Pasek, the current 3rd Ward alderman of Palos Hills of 32 years, is challenging the long-term incumbent Gerald Bennett for mayor of Palos Hills in the April 1 election. Early voting starts March 17 through March 31.

Your name

AJ Pasek

Office sought

Mayor of Palos Hills

Town/City of Residence

Palos Hills

Party Affiliation (if a partisan race)

Conservative

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

No

Occupation. Please include years of experience.

Retired hydraulic & pneumatic salesman, 27 years experience, paid by straight commission. Then became a substitute teacher in Districts 117, 230, 231, & 127 for 10+ years.

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

Currently, Alderman in the 3rd Ward of Palos Hills for 32 years

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

The Police Pension in Palos Hills is currently under-funded by millions of dollars per the most recent real estate tax bill. This is the most pressing issue in Palos Hills. Many residents are unaware of this issue & its significance for them personally, as a taxpayer.

If elected Mayor of Palos Hills, I will budget available money to increase funding to the Police Pension to keep it strong.

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

1. The current mayor has 1) Dramatically under-funded the Police Pension in his 44 years in office. It may be painful, but we must increase our city contribution.
2. I am a conservative. Current mayor is a liberal.
3. I will dedicate my time to the people of Palos Hills. The current mayor holds several other positions & has little time left for the city of Palos Hills.
4. Spending taxpayer money carefully is my main concern. The current mayor has $600 garbage cans at the park named after him & also gave his secretary a $35,000 raise last September. Both of these examples are an outrageous use of taxpayer money.
5. Palos Hills Golf Course has previously lost a good deal of money for the first 20 years due to poor leadership. Since I have been co-chair of the golf course for the past 5 years, it has made money.
6. 6) In favor of term limits, which I brought up years ago but went nowhere. Maybe the time is right now.
7. 7) I have never had a fundraiser & never will. Fundraiser money can be kept by the politician. I know the salary allotted to the position of mayor in Palos Hills & I do not need to supplement that with a fundraiser.
8. 8) I want to talk to residents. Not so with my competition.

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

The current mayor has failed the community by not being a good steward of taxpayers’ money. He has greatly let the city down by inadequately funding the Police Pension over his 44 years in office. This is a huge issue for the future of each real estate taxpayer in Palos Hills because this funding is required by law. Currently, there are more police officers receiving pensions than putting into the pension. This & the years of insufficient funding is creating a larger & larger deficit that the taxpayers will have to pay.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform

Reference above questions & answers

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

As an alderman in Palos Hills 3rd Ward for 32 years, I have had constant contact with the residents of my area. I initially became interested in politics while trying to save a wetland on property behind my house. I got involved trying to stop a developer from changing our local zoning. I worked to get vehicle sticker fees eliminated. I have worked with & am a long standing member of the Palos Hills Horseman Association (PHHA). The PHHA is one of the gems in our community. I have worked with many, many residents in regard to flooding & storm water issues. A number of years ago, I spoke against & eventually put an end to the elaborate weekend downtown on the taxpayers’ dime that some aldermen & their wives enjoyed, just to name a few.

Why should voters trust you?

One thing residents say about me is that I always tell them the truth. They may not like the answer, but they know I am honest & straight-forward with them. I always do what I can do and what the city can do for the residents.

If you win this position, what accomplishment would make your term in office as a success?
My term in office would be a success if I could do Police Pension reform & funding & have more direct involvement with residents.

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

As a fiscal conservative, the proper handling of taxpayer dollars is my #1 concern. Poor spending management &/or squandering of taxpayer dollars is absolutely wrong. $600 garbage cans & $35,000 raises are wrong, just to name a couple.

What are your thoughts on the crime rate in your community, and what more can be done to combat crime — especially violent crime — Palos Hills?

Palos Hills has a low crime rate & our police will continue doing their job for the residents of Palos Hills. However, it is imperative that the Police Pension be funded properly for us to continue to attract & more importantly, to keep, good police officers in Palos Hills.

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

Palos Hills should change the business zoning schedule to make it easier for new businesses that want to be in Palos Hills. There should be less special, costly, & time-consuming meetings. Currently, it can take several months for a business to be approved or denied in Palos Hills. As far as residential development, most of Palos Hills is developed.

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?

1) An improvement for residents would be allowing larger driveways to help keep vehicles off the street, particularly, at night. Many of our homeowners have multiple vehicles & need more space than the standard driveway allows.

2) We should also address allowing work vans on the driveway overnight. Many of our homeowners use work vans to make their living.

What Palos Hills policies do you believe should be updated or changed, if any.

Business zoning schedule should be updated.

Should there be term limits on municipal boards? Why or why not?

Absolutely, yes! Term limits brings in more people & fresh eyes. I brought up term limits years ago but it fell flat. The time may be right now.

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?

In addition to the items above, I would also like to reduce the number of aldermen, currently at 10. Reducing to 5 aldermen would be a cost savings of approximately $60,000 per year. Also, I ran this mayoral campaign with my own personal funds. I have never had a fundraiser & I am not indebted to anyone for anything. I will do my best for the people of Palos Hills. Thank you very much for all the support I have received during this campaign. Please vote April 1, for AJ PASEK. Thank you!