Meet Joliet Junior College Trustee Candidate: James Budzinski

MOKENA, IL — James Budzinski is one of five candidates running for two open positions for trustee on the Joliet Junior College board. Budzinski is a Mokena resident and works as a financial advisor.

Budzinski recently filled out the Patch candidate survey, and his answers can be found below:

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

Name: James Budzinski

Age (as of Election Day): 59

Town/city of residence: Mokena

School district: Joliet Junior College

Family:

Married, Toni(wife), Ryan 36, Jason (deceased) 33, Stephanie 27, Taylor 22 All children have attended college.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No, Ryan is a teacher in Unit 5

Education:

Bachelors

Occupation:

Financial Advisor for Edward Jones, formerly with Xerox for 40 years.

Campaign website: Can be found here.

Previous or current elected or appointed office:

Ran for Trustee in 2019. Finished as runner-up.

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

Stability and cost control, my focus will be to continue to offer quality educational programs without any further financial impact on the students, their families, and the taxpayer.

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

Financial background, I do not believe any candidate has the financial background, corporate experience, or history of working with teen centers and lower education as a volunteer.

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

Open position

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform:

I work with junior high school students and teen centers. I want the students to have JJC as a first choice. Many students have come to me and asked what they can do if they can't afford to attend a four-year university. I have and will continue to help them explore JJC and the many programs and options it currently offers.

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

I have visited many schools in Will and Kankakee counties assisting in STEM education, career fairs, and as a code mentor for teachers. I also have Series 7 and 66 license for the financial industry. I have four children who have all gone to college and want the same for the families in JJC District 525

Why should voters trust you?

Students and education come first. My current employment requires ethics training, drug testing, background checks, and disclosures of all outside activity to FINRA.

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

Maintain a balanced budget and increase enrollment. Seeing more applicable programs offered to match students to successful careers.

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

In absence of state money, this board has many financial challenges. Raising taxes is not an answer. I do not believe we can sit back and hope for change only to lose the current generation of students.

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 support all people of all races and believe educational opportunities within the community can strengthen it. Violent protests, and property damage destroy communities and do not bring any harmony to the situation. Voices need to come together to understand where a difference can be made or a life saved.

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

Yes, the board needs to listen to the students and staff to ensure all people are accepted, not just racial, but all of the other differences people have. It is not about statements made to the press, but instead, actions made by the board.

What are your thoughts on the district’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic? Are you in favor of remote learning, in-person learning or a hybrid of the two? Do you support a mask mandate for students and school staff, or mandatory coronavirus testing for both students and staff?

I believe we have learned that a hybrid environment offers many possibilities moving forward including remote learning for parents of small children. Our students may be able to benefit from the lessons learned from the pandemic when it comes to delivering content. It is something that the Department Chairs and the Board should explore. We cannot let our guard down due to a few weeks of improving numbers, therefore, I would support following guidelines even if they include wearing masks.

When the vaccine is available to them, do you support mandatory COVID-19 vaccinations for students and staff?

I do not support mandatory vaccinations.

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

Employment or relocation of employment. Conflicts of interest.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

Never turn down a person trying to teach you something.