Arlington Heights Mayoral Candidate: Thomas "Tom" Hayes

Arlington Heights Patch wants to help you get to know your candidates for Arlington Heights mayor. 

1) Name, professional background, community affiliations, public and private service, other experiences that you feel qualifies you to run for mayor of Arlington Heights. 

Thomas W. (“Tom”) Hayes

• Practicing trial attorney for 27 years concentrating in toxic tort litigation, McKenna Storer, Chicago, IL
• Retired as a Lieutenant Colonel in 2001 following 22 years of U.S. Army active and reserve service
• Arlington Heights Village Trustee (1991-Present)
• Arlington Heights Village President Pro Tem (appointed by Mayor with consent of the Board, 1999-Present)
• Member of the Drive to Revive Memorial Park and Veterans Memorial Committees (2007-Present)

2) How long have you been an Arlington Heights resident?

Attended kindergarten while living in downtown Arlington Heights in 1961-1962. Permanent resident since 1983 (30 years).

3) What are the reasons you chose to run for Arlington Heights mayor?

Like the vast majority of residents I talk to when I go door to door, I love Arlington Heights and want to not only preserve, but enhance the quality of life we enjoy and believe that I am uniquely qualified to do so. As senior Trustee and President Pro Tem, I have developed a deep understanding of the issues that affect the Village of Arlington Heights and have built the strong relationships with all of our community partners that will be necessary to move the Village forward in this time of transition to new leadership.

4) List 2-3 top issues-and how you plan to address them-that you believe are important to residents living in Arlington Heights.

Issue 1: I believe the primary role of Village government is to provide a high level of essential services at the lowest possible cost to the taxpayer. Recently, there have been positive signs of economic recovery and as Mayor, I will continue working with other Board members to limit spending and keep tax levies in check, which will help facilitate resident and business retention. Ultimately, it will be my duty to balance fiscal responsibility and the desire to preserve and advance the quality of life we enjoy in our community.

Issue 2: I hear from residents the concern over empty storefronts throughout the Village as a result of past economic downturn. My plan is to encourage a vibrant business community through aggressive retention and attraction programs and a more business friendly development and approval process. While applicable codes and standards ensure quality developments, we must do all we can to make the process as user friendly as possible for businesses, as well as residents wanting to build or improve their homes.

Issue 3: Arlington Heights just proudly celebrated its 125th year as a Village. As Mayor of an older Village, my aim will be to address our aging infrastructure, facilities, and forestry which have recently been impacted by natural events. Flooding caused by the overwhelming rains of July 2011 devastated many of our residents and the Emerald Ash Borer has the potential to decimate the mature urban forest we cherish. With the help of many residents providing critical information regarding flooding and parkway ash trees, the process of crafting well planned, fiscally responsible solutions to these village-wide issues is underway. Moving forward, I will continue to expand this collaboration with residents to help solve issues we have yet, but are sure to face.

5) What improvements, if any, would you like to see in the way that the village of Arlington Heights is run?

I believe the quality of life we enjoy in Arlington Heights is second to none. As senior Trustee and President Pro Tem, I have had the opportunity to actively build consensus among my fellow Board members and have developed a deep understanding of the issues that affect the Village of Arlington Heights. As a practicing trial attorney, I understand the importance of the opening statement and will be the first one out of the box to speak on issues that come before the Board in order to provide a framework for effective discussion. I will scrutinize every program and be prepared to do whatever is necessary to achieve our common goals. I will persist in building strong relationships with all of our community partners and be sensitive to the needs of residents and businesses. I will continue with current policies, but by the will of the Board, will be committed to making positive changes.

6) Biographical information, family, children, upbringing, religious beliefs, etc. (optional).

• Address:  911 E. Burr Oak Drive, Arlington Heights, IL 60004
• Age: 56
• Date of Birth: 10/07/1956
• Birthplace:  Chicago, IL
• Family: Married for 34 years to Prospect High School sweetheart, Sue Hayes
• Two Children: Daughter Tara (age 32); son Tim (age 30) and daughter-in-law Aneli
• Religion:  Christian - The Orchard Evangelical Free Church in Arlington Heights
• Education/Degrees:
• Diploma, Prospect High School in Mt. Prospect, IL in 1974
• BS General, U.S. Military Academy at West Point, NY in 1978
• JD, DePaul University College of Law in Chicago, IL in 1986

7) Additional comments, any other relevant information to your candidacy you would like voters to know about you.

Endorsements:

• Arlene Mulder, Village President
• Joe Farwell, Village Trustee
• Bert Rosenberg, Village Trustee
• Norm Breyer, Village Trustee
• John Scaletta, Village Trustee
• Carol Blackwood, Village Trustee
• Mike Sidor, Village Trustee
• Tom Stengren, Former Village Trustee
• Kathie Hahn, Former Village Trustee
• Dwight Walton, Former Village Trustee
• Edie Jolly, Former Village Trustee
• Mark Toljanic, Former Village Trustee
• Steve Daday, Former Village Trustee
• Lee Hettinger, Former Village Trustee
• Stanley Eisenhammer, Former Village Trustee
• Matt Murphy, State Senator
• David Harris, State Representative
• Sidney Mathias, Former State Representative
• Debbie Smart, Library Trustee
• David Unumb, Library Trustee
• Maryfran Leno, Park District President
• Rob Smith, Park District Commissioner
• William Dussling, School District 214 Board Member
• Dan Petro, School District 214 Board Member
• Arlen Gould, School District 21 Board Member
• Phil Pritzker, School District 21 Board Member
• Kenneth Nielsen, School District 25 Board Member
• Michael Schroeder, Wheeling Township Supervisor
• Paula Ulreich, Wheeling Township Clerk
• Jerry Sadler, Wheeling Township Assessor
• Scott Saewert, Wheeling Township Highway Commissioner
• Ken Jochum, Former Wheeling Township Collector
• Ruth O'Connell, Wheeling Township Trustee
• Kathy Penner, Wheeling Township Trustee
• JoAnne Schultz, Wheeling Township Trustee
• Mike Domrzalski, Wheeling Township Trustee
• Dan Patlak, Cook County Board of Review Commissioner