Jeffrey M. Key, Candidate For Mayor Of Palos Heights: Election 2025

PALOS HEIGHTS, IL — Jeff Key is challenging long-time incumbent Robert Straz for the office of mayor of Palos Heights in the April 1 election. Key has served as 1st Ward alderman for the city. Early voting starts March 17.

Your name

Jeffrey M. Key

Office sought

Mayor

Town/City of Residence

City of Palos Heights

Party Affiliation (if a partisan race)

No affiliation

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.

Jr. High Band Director – 35 years
Minister of Music – 26 years

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

Currently, Palos Heights Alderman Ward 1 – 14 years of service

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

Mayor / City Administrator – Lack of Leadership in terms of goal setting with input from the City Council. Communication of those goals regularly so that Council members stay focused on collective objectives. Projects need to be managed as they pass through committee to the Council for passage. Because this isn’t currently being done, consequential projects have stalled or failed.

No goal setting for the two TIF districts in PH.

No goal setting for the Harlem Ave. Business District.

Very poor relationship with Chamber of Commerce.

General communication from administration is totally lacking. Example: Palos Heights has recently hired a new administrative assistant/deputy clerk. She is in her fourth week of employment and none of us have been notified.

Lack of leadership when faced with crisis when a hail storm resulted in 1,120 roofs being damaged. Residents waited up to 12 weeks to receive a city permit.

I intend to implement an improved leadership, communication, and management model throughout the city.

Will start a robust discussion with Council regarding the management of the Business District fund and how we must reinvest the collected taxes into the business community in a prudent way.

Will collectively set goals for both TIF districts.

Will restart effort to finish the much-needed renovation of the 70-year-old City Hall.

Will improve relationship with Chamber of Commerce.

Will Increase use of City Website and Social Media presence with an eye on cross marketing all Palos Heights entities including City Hall, Police Dept., Parks and Recreation, Lake Katherine, PH Public Library, Palos/Northwestern Medicine, Trinity College.

Will proactively work with Business Community and developers.

Will complete new MOU with Lake Katherine.

Will restructure Building Dept./Economic and Community Development model, increasing the presence of the Economic Development portion.

Will ensure that there is one Alderman from each ward on every committee.

Will begin an inquiry into eyesore property located at 135th and Harlem.

Will ensure that one Alderman from each ward is on every committee.

Will investigate possibility of term limits.

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

My passion and motivation for Palos Heights will drive making much needed change. I will not be satisfied with the status quo.

I have a completely different leadership/communication/management model. The Mayor needs to stay engaged as issues make their way through the committee/council system.

The mayor needs to use the City’s Comprehensive Plan to demonstrate what objectives the Council established when the document was approved.

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

There are eight committees, comprised of aldermen. I believe there should be one Alderman from each ward on every committee, thus ensuring equal representation throughout the City. The current situation has a completely different makeup.

By not setting goals, interjecting leadership into staying focused of much-needed projects, some of them have stalled or failed. We have fallen asleep. We cannot rely on progress happening organically. When a project is delayed, it costs the City money.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform

See previous answers.

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

As chairman of Public Safety, it was brought to my attention that crime evidence was taking up to 14-16 months to be processed by Cook County. After investigation, the PHPD began using a private crime lab, with results being received in days instead of months.

As chairman of Parks and Recreation, I led the effort to bring the renovation and expansion of our Recreation Center to referendum, resulting in a $6,3 million investment into our facility.

Working with a Palos Heights resident, we created all aspects of the Kris Kringle Market that brought 6500 people this year into our business district.

Why should voters trust you?

I have worked diligently these past 14 years to make life better for the residents. I fully stand behind my voting record.

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

Listed in above answers

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

I believe in a balanced budget. Palos Heights has a great track record in this regard.

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

PH has a wonderful Police Department. Our streets and homes are safe because of their work.

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

Developers, both residential and commercial, should be welcomed. It costs nothing to listen or to be civil. We have had a residential builder back out of a $35 million project for lack of cooperation and perceived negative response to getting the project completed.

We have seen commercial developers become frustrated with lack of cooperation 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?

The Business District needs redevelopment. The whole idea behind the $.01 consumer tax along the Harlem corridor is to have a financial engine in place to reinvest into the district. A design group needs to be engaged to help solve existing problems such as parking, connectivity, lighting, signage, infrastructure and property maintenance. We have collected $400,000 for this purpose. As of this writing, 430 days have passed without a single discussion with the City Council as to how we move the project forward.

What city policies do you believe need updating or rescinding? Explain why.

The City Administration needs to revamp how they communicate with all entities, especially the City Council members. Without their cooperation in setting specific goals, and then communicating and managing those goals, the Aldermen have gotten into the habit of voting their opinion instead of voting to achieve goals. We require leadership that places a target, and stays focused on the target so we are all aiming at the same place. The way we do things now is the Aldermen shoot eight arrows into the air and then run around with a target trying to get a majority of the arrows.

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

Yes.

If you can’t get something done in eight years, why should the voters want you in for 2 ½ decades? I am not afraid of stating an agenda and working to get it done. I am also not afraid of new ideas that new elected officials bring with themselves.

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?

The City leadership desperately needs a new way of getting things done.
A leadership change is needed in Palos Heights, both in the Mayoral and Administrative positions. It is simply saying that Palos Heights can do better. The residents deserve a passionate leader who wants to get things accomplished and won’t be satisfied with the status quo. They deserve a leader who will solve crisis situations as a team. They deserve a leader committed to setting, communicating and achieving goals. Palos Heights is a wonderful place to live. I plan to lead us into a stronger future.