Jim Tinaglia: Candidate For Arlington Heights Trustee

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, IL — Ahead of the April 6 consolidated municipal elections, Arlington Heights Patch provided questionnaires to all candidates on the ballot.

Six candidates are vying for four four-year trustee seats on the Arlington Heights Village Board on Election Day. They include two incumbents (Richard Baldino and Jim Tinaglia) and four challengers (Jim Bertucci, Will Beiersdorf, Wendy Dunnington and Nicolle Grasse).

Mayor Thomas Hayes is running unopposed.

Arlington Heights Patch is publishing all responses submitted by candidates verbatim.

Jim Tinaglia

Age (as of Election Day)

59

Town/City of Residence

Arlington Heights

Office Sought

Village trustee

Party Affiliation (if a partisan race)

Independent

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

None

Education

District 25, District 214 and Iowa State University 1985 BA Architecture

Occupation

Owner of Tinaglia Architects since 1991, 30 years

Campaign website

Tinaglia for Trustee on Facebook

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

current Trustee since 2013

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

The current highest profile issue facing our Board will also be the most impactful issue facing our entire community...and beyond. With the recent official announcement that Arlington Park will close after the 2021 season, the significant tax generating potential of 326 acres of prime real estate will be in front of us. It is my goal to be re-elected so that I can help shape our community's future related to this outstanding opportunity towards a new and improved legacy for future generations. We do not need more retail, multifamily housing or office buildings like the Glen at Arlington Park. We need a year round facility such as a domed arena for professional and collegiate sports, entertainment and tax generation. We need large and recurring tax generation so that property taxes for our residents can remain tolerable. If re-elected, I will do all that I can to help guide this dream toward reality.

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?

What happened over the past year, and began with George Floyd has been a tragedy for our entire nation. I strongly encourage kindness and support for all life on our planet, and I denounce anything less than reasonable and fair treatment. We can all do better and we will.

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

Our Board has adopted the newest Kaleidoscope report for DEI and I voted to accept that report. These are guidelines that will encourage fair and equitable relationships within our Village policy. I am not an advocate for racial or gender related quotas within our hiring practices. I believe we should always cast a broad net and then hire the very best women and men for our Fire, Police and Engineering departments, regardless of race or gender.

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 have always supported our federal and state government policies toward the pandemic and will continue to follow those guidelines. Having said that, I am very hopeful that with more vaccine availability for those that take it, we can open up businesses more quickly. I am very hopeful that we see large scale events this summer and that the pandemic will be in our rearview mirror.

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?

Fortunately, Our Village Health Department has been very active in gaining certification as a distribution center. I am confident that once the vaccines are more readily available, Arlington Heights Village Hall will be a safe place to get vaccinated.

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

I am a licensed practicing architect and have worked with private clients and developers for over 30 years. I am trained to use both sides of my brain to evaluate both creative and functional aspects of projects. I am the only architect to ever be elected to our Village Board and I hope to use all of my experience, skills and training for the benefit of our residents. I never work for Village commissions but I push very hard to encourage those that do, to always perform their best work for our residents.

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

N/A

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform

I have been a resident of Arlington Height since 1971. Other than a few years away for college and family start-up, I have been here all of my life. My wife Cindy has been here her entire life as well. We have 4 children that all graduated from District 25 and 214 schools just as Cindy and I did. My family is here, my business is here, and we are committed life-long residents here in Arlington Heights. It is rare that I meet anyone with deeper roots and more historical knowledge of our town. I am very proud to have witnessed and helped in the wonderful growth that Arlington Heights has achieved in the last 50 years. I see an even brighter future ahead for all of us.

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

I am here in town all day, every day. My family lives here of course, and my office is also here in Arlington Heights. For the past 8 years I have been available and involved with every important decision that our Village Board has been charged with. Recently I voted to hold the line on a zero percent tax increase for our residents in 2020 as well as 2021.

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

My number one goal is to provide the best possible services for our residents, all while keeping our property taxes reasonable. Losing Arlington Park's tax revenue will make this an incredible challenge in the future and that is why it is extremely important that we work together with developers and owners, and bring the very best solution to Arlington Park. I truly believe a professional sports dome is the answer and I hope to generate traction for that concept.

Why should voters trust you?

I have been told that I am a strong voice of reason on our Board. I am a level headed thinker that listens 80% of the time and only speaks 20% of the time. I have learned to treat all decisions with respect and sincerity. I am a father of 4 children and I hope to always be the example of good work at home, at my office and also for our community as a whole.

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

This is our number one job as trustees. Always monitor the spending while encouraging the best services for our residents and businesses. Our Village has over 400 employees in many different departments like Fire, Police, Engineering and others. The cost to provide these services is large and our residents deserve the best available.

Is there any reason you would not serve your full term of office, other than those of health or family?

I intend to serve my entire term if elected.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

Always leave your surrounding cleaner, safer and better than it was when you arrived.

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

I am not a politician. I am an architect that is truly dug in and committed to Arlington Heights. This position is not a stepping stone to state level offices for me. I hope to continue doing my job as a level-headed voice of reason on our Village Board and I am committed to that goal. I've been here almost all of my life, and I can offer insight and knowledge that very few others can match.