2019 Elections Guide: John W. McGuire, Tinley Trustee

TINLEY PARK, IL — Patch asked all candidates running for elected office in the April 2, 2019 municipal elections to participate in our voters guide. All submissions are voluntary. Those whose names are not listed chose not to respond or did not respond to requests for information. Responses are edited for style or space only.

Get to know your candidates:

Name: John W. McGuire

Age: 52

Position sought: Trustee

Party affiliation: Concerned Citizens for Tinley Park

Family: Married to my wife, Colleen and father to three boys

Education: Graduate of Harry S. Truman College

Occupation: Retired Executive of the Chicago Transit Authority - 20 plus years
Manager of a para-transit company

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Offices: No prior elected or appointed offices.

Campaign Website: Concerned Citizens for Tinley Park

Names and offices of all family members who work in politics or government: N/A

This includes any relatives who work in the government you'd be representing. N/A

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

1. Developing the Tinley Park Mental Health Center. The number one issue is the IEPA assessment and appropriate cleanup of the 280-acre Tinley Park Mental Health Center property. It is essential to ensure that the clean-up is done according to regulatory requirements and working with our partners in state government. Additionally, we must develop this property with the foresight to have the proper combination of single family, senior housing, commercial and recreational space. we must work with our partner governmental agencies like our schools and park districts to gather their insight as well. Most importantly, our village must properly analyze the financial impact this will have on our community. This property is a unique opportunity to stabilize our property tax base and prevent property taxes from continuing to rise.
2. Reducing Crime in Tinley Park. My family has lived here for the past twenty-eight years, and it is evident that crime is on the rise. I feel that it is important for residents to feel safe in their home and out in the neighborhood. I support a plan that includes increasing the number of part time or full-time police officers to include more training based on “hot spotting” and “community policing.” I also support creating a long-term master plan which will determine proper distribution of our first responder resources and determining whether our response times are adequate.
3. Developing Downtown Tinley Park. Over the past twenty years, Oak Park Avenue has seen an influx of investment by commercial businesses and our Village. This must continue to ensure the historic feel of Downtown Tinley. I support that any new residential developments must be supplemented by a commercial business on the main level. Additionally, I support redeveloping the entertainment area by the Oak Park Avenue Train Station to allow for more seating and easier parking. Our Village also has the unique opportunity to connect Downtown Tinley to the potentially redeveloped Tinley Park Mental Health Center and our entertainment area containing the Hollywood Casino Amphitheater and Odyssey Country Club and Fun World.

What are the key differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post? Through my career in transportation, I have managed multi-million-dollar budgets as well as countless employees. Moreover, I specialize in short, long and contingency planning to include inventory management. Locally, I have coached in our youth sports organizations and volunteered as a member of the Andrew High School Booster Club. My wife, Colleen, and I have three children who have had the luxury of enjoying the programming our park districts have to offer. What makes me the best candidate is my ability to work at the highest levels in my industry managing complex problems, while maintaining my connection to our community. We deserve qualified and experienced professionals our elected officials. That is what I will bring to Tinley Park.

Explain your attitudes toward fiscal policy, government spending and how taxpayer dollars should be handled by your office (or board)? When dealing with taxpayer dollars, local government should provide the essential services necessary for our local constituents. Plowing the streets, ensuring that the garbage is picked up and providing for the public safety are just a few of the services that should to be provided to our residents at the highest quality. As a trustee, I will ensure that taxpayer dollars are spent responsibly, not recklessly as if it was my own.

In what way have current officeholders of the position you're running for failed the community? How would you do better? My son and his friends were enjoying a Saturday night like any other high school students, but their lives were forever changed when they were all held at gunpoint and robbed. I made a promise to my family and my neighbors that I would not stand for this in our neighborhood. After researching the police budget, it is clear that the staffing is dangerously low. With the upcoming retirements in the police department, it is important to have proper staffing levels. Additionally, as a Village, we must ensure that our first responders are properly resourced.

If you win this position, how would you define your term in office as a success?

To me a successful term would include:

• Balanced budget
• Increased police resources
• Develop the Tinley Park Mental Health Center property
• End the "Pay-to-Play" politics that has plagued our town

Which accomplishments do you cite as evidence you can handle this job?
In my two decade career, I went from an entry level position to an executive at the Chicago Transit Authority. I understand that in order to be a good leader, I had to be a good follower. Now that I am retired, I am able to pursue my passion of giving back to my community and provide much needed services to those with developmental disabilities and senior citizens.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?
I have a dog named "Blue." He's an old dog, but he is reliable and has the life experience to show restraint and good judgement. Moreover, he shows unconditional love and does the right thing. I view him as an example of what an elected official should be.