Orland Residents For Responsible Government: Joseph J. Solek

ORLAND TOWNSHIP, IL — Meet Joseph J. Solek, running for Orland Township Trustee with the Orland Residents For Responsible Government slate, in the April 2021 Consolidated Election. The election is April 6.

Solek recently filled out the Patch candidate survey, and his answers can be seen below.

If you are a candidate for the April election, and would like to answer our Patch candidate questionnaire, please email yasmeen.sheikah@patch.com.

Joseph J. Solek

Age (as of Election Day)

69

Town/City of Residence

Orland Park

Office Sought

Township board

Party Affiliation (if a partisan race)

Orland Residents for Responsible Government

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Education

Bachelor of Science in Biology Loyola University, 1974; Doctor of Dental Surgery Loyola University, 1978.

Occupation

Retired Dentist

Campaign website

ResponsibleOrland.com

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

No

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

There is a lack of financial transparency in the township. A resident cannot obtain financial records unless they request them by filing a Freedom of Information Act form. Even though the township was closed for nine and a half months in 2020, their entire budget was spent. How can that be? Where did the taxpayer money go? Illinois taxpayers are under one of the heaviest tax burdens in the country. Their money should be spent wisely and with accountability. As a trustee, I will move as quickly as possible to post the financials on the township website so that they may be easily accessible to any resident who wishes to view them.

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?

This has been a very stressful year for all citizens in every walk of life. The death of any human, that could have been prevented, is a sad, unforgettable moment in our history. Sometimes, demonstrations are required to point out the inequities that exist in our society. However, those demonstrations should be peaceful. Hopefully solutions can be developed and put into place.

Do you think the current board has done enough to support racial equality, and if not, what specifically should be done to do so?

Racial equality was served by the township, in a negative way, due to the fact that all facets of our resident's services were denied by shutting down the township offices. Every race experienced the same lack of service. This type of equality is not something to be boastful about. As quickly and safely as possible, the services should be brought back to 100 percent pre-pandemic levels.

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?

While I cannot control the national response to the virus, I think the response in Orland Park was a good balance of trying to keep residents safe while preserving the viability of local businesses. As our knowledge of the virus increases, the way we approach our everyday life will evolve with additions or subtractions of precautions. We must always protect the most vulnerable segment of our township and if science suggests mask wearing, then so be it, even though our current supervisor is a staunch proponent of mask wearing, he has been seen blatantly not wearing a mask in very crowded gatherings. A leader has to set an example.

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?

The vaccine rollout has been 'clunky" at best. Illinois has only delivered about 63% of its allotment. Local villages and townships should work together to quickly deliver the vaccine. This is not the time for partisan politics. The Village of Orland Park has an emergency distribution plan in place, and it should be activated ASAP. The township should work collaboratively with the village.

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

I have never been or will I ever be a career politician. I am a resident who was politically aware but not active......until now. I am beholden to no one person or special group.

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

During the pandemic, when the township services were most needed by the disabled, the disadvantaged and the most vulnerable residents of the community, they were denied by shutting down. Instead of working collaboratively with the surrounding villages, hospitals, and local doctors to keep providing these services safely, they took the easy way out and closed down. If the local grocery stores found a way to keep their check-out clerks safe, I am sure that the township, with vastly more resources at their disposable, could have stayed open.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform

Not only increasing fiscal transparency, but also transactional transparency by live streaming board meetings that will be available at any time on YouTube. I will also not take a pension.

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

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

Transparency of fiscal transactions and making sure that the taxpayer's money is not wasted on patronage nonsense.

Why should voters trust you?

Voters can trust me because I am exactly like them. I am a neighbor who is finally fed up with machine politics and is willing to take a stand against the status quo.

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

Everyone works hard for their money and I do not want to see it wasted on vanity self-promotions. Making the township more efficient and transparent should hopefully result in a reduction of the tax levy reflected on your real estate tax bill. Most government entities overtax and underproduce in delivering services. I would like to try to reverse this trend.

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:

Always tell the truth because you probably won't remember the lie.

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

I am a resident who wants to give back to the community in the form of public service. The residents of Tinley Park, Orland Hills, and Orland Park supported my practice for 40 years. It is my turn to pay it forward by striving to give the residents excellence in the services the township provides and to be good stewards of their money.