John ‘J.P.’ Hochbaum: 2025 candidate for Villa Park village board

Bio

Office sought: Villa Park village board (Vote for 3)

City: Villa Park

Age: 45

Occupation: Quality assurance engineer

Previous offices held: None

What is the most serious issue your community will face in the coming years and how should the village board respond to it?

Villa Park has a funding problem. We need more parks, more first responders, and other amenities. The village board needs to be very proactive in generating revenue by bringing in more businesses and multiuse buildings. The village board can also seek out grants and other forms of monetary help to address this.

How would you describe the state of your community's finances? What should be the top priorities for spending during the next few years? Are there areas of spending that need to be curtailed?

This was pretty much answered with the previous question, as the village has a revenue problem, and it tends to rely too much on property taxes. So to combat that we would need to generate more sales tax revenues by bringing in more businesses, and multiuse buildings.

As for spending, the village really needs more parks and with the new village 20-year comprehensive plan I feel there is a great blue print for this.

As for areas that need to be curtailed, I have always felt the village has a problem with the permitting process, as well as other ordinances that are cost prohibitive to residents and business owners.

What do you see as the most important infrastructure project the community must address? Why and how should it be paid for? Conversely, during these uncertain economic times, what project(s) can be put on the back burner?

My backyard is almost overlooking the Ardmore train station, and there is an empty plot of land there that was abandoned by a developer. I would think most people in the village think this plot of land needs to be a priority for the next board. Because it is private property, the board shouldn’t be on the hook for any costs here. We just have to help the bank find a developer that will build on that land. I can't think of any projects that should be put on the back burner.

Describe your experience working in a group setting to determine policy. What is your style in such a setting to reach an agreement and manage local government? Explain how you think that will be effective in producing effective actions and decisions with your village board.

I currently serve on the economic development commission, and within that group I have considered myself more of a listener, than a talker. Often times what other people say, helps to generate ideas, and gives me an idea of how the rest of the group feels about a certain policy. From this I believe I could help gather consensus from the constructive criticisms that others have, and come to a solution that addresses the criticisms and concerns that other board members have.

What makes you the best candidate for the job?

Honestly, I don't like saying I am the best. I feel like the village has a great problem because the six people running all have strengths and traits that the board could use. I do think my particular strength will be using an aggressive agenda that focuses on economic development, and this will resonates with the voters because it is a very common issue that they bring up to me.

What’s one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?

Taking advantage of the Prairie Path, with that I have lots of ideas, the most popular one has been starting a food truck festival, or having permanent food trucks during the summer.