Meet Your Candidates: Village Trustee Incumbent Mike Basil

Mike Basil has served as a Village Trustee since 2007, and chairs Wilmette's Judiciary Committee. Basil, who possesses an MBA from Loyola University, was a key proponent of the .

"I want to continue to advance the Master Plan process over the next four years and make Wilmette the most attractive opportunity for developers when the economy turns around," Basil said.

Board members serve four-year terms. Three seats are open this year, and six candidates are running—Basil, Mike G. Bailey, Bob Bielinski, Dan Kaplan, Doug Rathe and Julie Wolf.

Check out what Basil has to say about pensions and the village's budget below.

How would you assess the state of the village’s budget?

Mike Basil: The Wilmette Village budget is presently in an acceptable state, but with every business that closes, we become increasingly dependent on property taxes to pay for the services expected of local government: police, fire, roads, snow plowing, etc.  With the economic decline causing additional recent vacancies in Wilmette, the Village Board should focused more than ever on creating a welcoming environment for new businesses.

If expenses need to be reduced, exactly what would you cut? Be specific.

Basil: Over the last four budget cycles in which I have been involved, I have watched our department directors apply expert stewardship of the resources provided to them. Through the budget process I have learned that the best approach to expense reduction usually begins with an explanation of the total amount of funding that a department is likely to receive for the coming year, and then allow the departments to meet and prepare priority lists on how they will function with that level of funding. The department directors collaborate with the Village Board on the priorities so that we make the best possible decisions on delivering the core services expected at the lowest possible cost. A common technique we have been using lately to hold down expenses is to delay or not fill newly-vacant positions within the Village government.


If more revenue needs to be raised, exactly what would you propose? Be specific.

Basil: The best way to collect more revenue is to do everything we can to encourage new business openings in the Village.  Sales tax revenue and property taxes collected from growing, thriving businesses is a win-win for everyone.  Businesses would love to be so successful that their activity creates increasing sales tax revenue and their real estate becomes more valuable.  We should not impose a “moratorium on downtown development” for any reason, as the Village Board did from 2010 to 2011, as that sends the worst possible message to the commercial real estate development community that Wilmette is “closed” for business.


What, if anything, does the village need to do to adequately fund police and fire pensions?

Basil: Adequately funding the police and fire retirement benefit pension funds is only a problem because the state legislature has made it a problem. Wilmette has, until recently, maintained a solid track record of meeting its pension funding obligations. The recent problems with pension funding exists because the state legislature in Springfield dictates the retirement benefits we provide to our police and firefighters, but the State does not pay for the benefits. The result is that Wilmette residents pay for the pension benefits through the property tax. This disconnect between the power to grant the benefit and the responsibility of paying for the benefit has caused the legislature to carelessly enhance pension benefits with no rational basis, and no transparency or accountability to the taxpayers.  Just as the Village bargains with police and firefighters for their wages and working conditions, the Village ought to have the right to determine the exact retirement benefit it offers to public safety employees. I started a grassroots organization to accomplish this much-needed change in state law. Please visit www.proillinois.com to learn more.

What ideas do you have to make the Master Plan a reality? How will you push forward economic development of the village center?

Basil: The Master Plan can best be achieved by providing the clearest and most favorable rules for the commercial development community.  If existing owners and developers understand the rules and limits of what can be built, everybody will be able to make good decisions on the best use for the land.  Our next steps in updating the zoning for the Master Plan areas are therefore critical in clearly communicating the rules and limits.  This will be my focus for the next four years, if reelected.


If the state of Illinois succeeds in re-establishing the capital bill, would you support video gaming in this village?

Basil: No. Wilmette residents have told me unanimously that they do not want video gaming in Wilmette.

Briefly tell us what, in your background or education, has prepared you to make a contribution on this board. Can you offer an expertise that would be a resource to other board members?

Basil: I am well-qualified to help lead local government, with an undergraduate degree in Economics and Political Science, a degree in Law, and an MBA concentrating in Finance. My experience and business practice involving real estate and construction provides me with unique insight and ability to represent the interest of Wilmette homeowners in protecting and enhancing the value of their most important investment: their home.

How would you assess the public services the village offers residents, including police, fire, trash pickup, snow removal, responsiveness of village hall, etc.? What needs to be improved? Are residents getting adequate value for their tax dollar?

Basil: The feedback I receive from residents is that they are largely pleased with the level and quality of services Village government is delivering.  There are always opportunities for improvement.  The current Village management is doing a very good job of managing their department expenditures in the economic downturn without sacrificing the quality or level of services provided.

What else would you like voters to know about your positions on issues or point of view?

Basil: As a Village Board member for the last four years I successfully changed the process in Wilmette for obtaining minor variances, making it much easier and quicker for homeowners to invest in their homes and thereby improve not only their own homes, but the entire community as well. I have also been a leading force in setting a new vision for downtown Wilmette business development, bringing the ULI Technical Assistance Panel and the RTA downtown master plan redevelopment grant to the Village. I want to continue to advance the Master Plan process over the next four years and make Wilmette the most attractive opportunity for developers when the economy turns around.