Meet LITH Village Board Candidate Bill Dustin

LAKE IN THE HILLS, IL — Four candidates are vying for three open seats on the Lake in the Hills Village Board. Here is the candidate profile for Bill Dustin:

Age (as of Election Day): 74

Town/City of Residence: LAKE IN THE HILLS

Office Sought: Village board or city council

Party Affiliation (if a partisan race): Independent

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?: No (My wife is a volunteer with the McHenry County Emergency Management Agency if that counts)

Education: Studied Accounting and Law at Roosevelt University Occupation Realtor 16 years, Sales and Business Development at Woodstock Harley Davidson

Campaign website: Dustin4LITH.com

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office: Lake in the Hills Village Trustee. Prior to that I was a Lake in the Hills Planning and Zoning commissioner. I have also served on Business and Association boards including positions as Chairman, President, Executive Board seats and Members at Large.

The single most pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it. Growing the retail business tax base to keep the home owners taxes stable. Converting the empty spaces.

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 think all lives matter. It is disturbing to me to see the rioting and looting that takes place. A wrong does not correct a wrong.

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 believe our current board is color blind and will support all races.

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? First of all the State has been in control of most of the restrictions. The village has done what it could to relax rules to allow outdoor dining and the serving of alcohol. We relaxed the penalties on water bills to homeowners. I think the mask mandate will be with us for a while especially in grocery stores, for food servers and medical professionals. The virus is not over yet. If you are old enough to remember when seat belts became a law most people didn't like it but we got used to it.

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? With the amount of vaccine that has been available I am not sure it has been distributed equally. However, at this stage there seems to be a growing amount of vaccine and should be a lot easier to get it.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post? I am all about having a balanced budget.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency) I am a current Trustee running for re-election.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform I am a 23 year resident in the community, I care about the people who live here and I believe I am making a difference for the benefit of our citizens.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job? Not raising the property tax base. Helping some of our local businesses survive during the COVID-19 restrictions by changing some of the regulations allowing the outside services.

If you win this position, what accomplishment would make your term in office as a success? The expansion of the retail businesses that create tax dollars to offset the burden of home owners.

Why should voters trust you? I am involved in the community. I was President of the Lake in the Hills Rotary Club three times and a current active member of the Lake in the Hills American Legion. I care what goes on in our community.

What are your views on fiscal policy, government spending and the use of taxpayer dollars in the office you are seeking? Spending money to provide essential services. Balancing the budget.

Is there any reason you would not serve your full term of office, other than those of health or family? I expect to serve a full term. I look forward to doing it.

The best advice ever shared with me was: Listen to what people have to say.