Jacob Hill, Elmhurst Ward 2 Candidate

ELMHURST, IL — Jacob Hill is one of two candidates for the Ward 2 seat on the Elmhurst City Council. Here are his responses to the Patch questionnaire:

Jacob Hill

Age (as of Election Day)

47

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Education

BA English University of Utah, MLIS Dominican University (Illinois), MBA Elmhurst University (Illinois)

Occupation

Associate Professor and University Librarian (18yrs)

Campaign website

https://sites.google.com/view/...

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

Alderman in Elmhurst's Ward 2

The single most pressing issue facing our city is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

This is a long term issue facing all our residents and businesses; stormwater, and associated climate change. Climate predictions and historical evidence point to a significant rising trend for Illinois precipitation, especially with regards to extreme rainfall and storm events. As a community vulnerable to extreme rain events, Elmhurst needs to continue to prioritize funding and infrastructure improvements to avoid catastrophic effects as we transition to stormier. wetter climate. Mitigating stormwater protects all the investments we make in our town, and is a critical (but easily forgotten) issue which needs continued focus.

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?

I am still familiarizing myself with the city's responses to the BLM movement and the implication it has for policing, housing, public need, and more. I support the need for diversity, equity, and inclusion as principles and as policy.

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 have seen some city programming in place to support racial equity, but would need to research the topic to understand exactly what has been done so far, and what could be done.

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?

I believe we have a local mask mandate in practice if not in principle, which seems to serve the same purpose as an official mandate. I am not in favor of many of the current business restrictions, as they seem somewhat arbitrary in terms of design and enforcement.

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?

So far vaccine distribution appears to be working more or less as intended; it remains to be seen if there is more need for intergovernmental coordination.

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

I cannot speak to my opponent's background or views, but I have a proven track record of community advocacy that has transitioned to real outcomes, bettering the lives of our citizens.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform

Fiscal conservatism, fostering communication between the city and other organizations and agencies, supporting and emphasizing the resources we already have in community as opposed to reinventing the wheel. Sustainable growth that fits the character of our town.

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

As a university faculty member, I am very familiar with the concept of shared governance and long-term strategic objectives. I have always been working at the intersection of multiple stakeholders competing for limited resources and sometimes competitive goals. I am comfortable with fiscal and real-world constraints, and understand that good government is an iterative process; multiple small improvements can lead to big changes.

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

A more pedestrian-friendly, sustainable, fiscally-robust and equitable Elmhurst. A place where growth is tempered with the character of the past and vision for the future.

Why should voters trust you?

I find that service to the community is hard when you have young children and much to do. Being a public servant requires a lot of work and time is always in short supply. I would hope that voters trust me and many others in our city government; we always strive to work in the public interest. Knowing you did your best and being happy with your work is the only real reward most of us can expect, and that's what I value.

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

So far, my experience has been that our local government does much with little, and does it responsibly. We seek partnerships and grant opportunities, are fiscally conservative, and tie our expenditures to long-term goals. I do think we have to be careful about over-development, even at the cost of tax revenue. Developers do not always think of that which is best for Elmhurst.

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:

From my instructor in a class on negotiation; always look for what's at stake in a negotiable situation; what are the true goals/objectives, what is the desired outcome? Understanding your opponents' values and goals is key to reaching a solution.

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

I would like to think I am an approachable official who is responsive to citizens' questions, input, and needs. My career in education has made me a believer in lifelong learning; I believe I will always be returning to the classroom as a student as well as a teacher. Knowledge is something valuable to contribute, and also something valuable to take away from any experience in our lives. We all have something to teach each other.