2013 Election Profile: Jeff Lawson

Address:  600 block of Manhattan Circle, Oswego

Campaign contact information: jlawson@oswegoil.org, 100 Parkers Mill Drive, Oswego Il 60543. 630-554-3618

Family: Lauren Lawson, 24 Daughter. Alyssa Lawson, 20 Daughter

Education: College of Dupage, DePaul University

Occupation: Costco Wholesale

Why are you seeking office?

I seek to continue the forward thinking pro-taxpayer accomplishments that I have made these past four years. Our community remains financially strong due to smart budgeting and is a great place to call home. Continuing to attract businesses to Oswego and creating more community events are what help to make our community stronger.

What set you apart from other candidates?

My pro-taxpayer action the past four years. Candidates can make promises but I have a demonstrated record of helping our residents through lowering our electric bills over 30%; garbage bills by nearly 18%; issuing no new debt, and securing a balanced budget. I have supported new businesses and developed a detailed 5- year Strategic Plan for the Village. I continue to identify unnecessary Village spending and ensure that services and community life are exceeding resident’s expectations.

What will be your single most important priority if you get elected?

There is not one but equally important priorities over four years that I am committed to, such as controlling expenses to avoid any service rate or tax increases. I've been successful these past four year in this area. I also will work to attract new industry and business to help reduce property taxes as well as providing responsible services and growth that make our community desirable.

What do you consider to be the main issues facing the Village of Oswego today?

The main issues facing Oswego are finances and how we go about constantly improving the village. Although the last four years we made tremendous progress in making the village pro-taxpayer, we face possible challenges from cuts in state shared revenues. For improvements some other candidates are pro-giveaway on incentives for bringing in businesses. My view is that would repeat the mistakes prior to my term that lowered revenues and caused painful cuts and higher taxes.

Going forward, what can the Village do to help improve the state of current businesses and work to attract new ones? How responsible should the Village be in regards to helping new businesses get off the ground, so to speak?

I support pro-taxpayer, responsible methods- namely loans from our economic development fund to help businesses expand. This money is paid back, then available for reuse on more development. Understanding the financial strain upon families during these difficult economic times.

The Village levied the same dollar amount in the 2012 tax levy as they did in 2011, resulting in a very low increase for Oswego homeowners. Yet homeowners say they are still being taxed too high: what suggestions do you have to help ease taxpayer burden on Oswego homeowners?

I agree taxes are too high. The village tax per home has lowered because more homes exist Oswego than last year while the levy remains constant. However, the village portion of your tax bill accounts for less than 2% of your total. Other governmental entities receive the balance. The most important factor is for voters to choose candidates for every governing board that are committed to controlling expenses. The only responsible way taxes can be cut is by controlling expenses.