Jim Tinaglia: 2025 candidate for Arlington Heights village president

Bio

Office Sought: Arlington Heights village president

City: Arlington Heights

Age: 63

Occupation: Architect

Previous offices held:

Why are you running for this office? Is there a particular issue that motivates you? Also, what makes you the best candidate for the position?

I am running for Mayor because I am completely committed to Arlington Heights, and the timing is right. Through my deep community involvements, I have been watching, listening and preparing myself for this important opportunity.

My history here dates to my youth, I have been heavily involved in volunteering, I founded my business here more than 30 years ago, and have served our Village for more than two decades on the Design Committee and as a Trustee on the Village Board. I am the most uniquely qualified candidate to carry the ball into the next chapter of leadership, because I have all the right tools — through my history, my former and current participation, my profession, and my vision for our future.

The potential for the Chicago Bears is certainly a motivating factor, as it must be handled carefully. My career as an architect working with developers uniquely equips me with the skills to help guide and steer any proposed development at the former Arlington Park property, so that it is a win-win for all parties. That doesn’t make mention of the need to keep property taxes down, while supporting any initiatives that enhance quality of life for our community members.

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

The potential for the Chicago Bears to come to Arlington Heights is not only one of the most serious topics for our community, but also for our entire region. If those 326 acres of land are developed properly — relating to safety, economics, traffic control and infrastructure, it will be a tremendous asset. However, if any of those important aspects are not fully vetted or properly addressed, there could be negative consequences that no one wants to live with for the next 100 years.

Through strong collaboration with all involved stakeholders, I would lead the effort to give this potentiality the proper time and attention to “get it right,” to ensure that whatever this area becomes provides the intrinsic value that Arlington Park gave to our local and greater community. I would share, leverage and utilize my deep understanding of these necessary considerations, which I’ve gained through my 34 years as an architect, and my experiences on the Village Board and the Village Design Committee.

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?

Arlington Heights’ finances are strong. Our Village Board has historically been conservative regarding taxes and expenditures, evidenced by the previous five years of no tax increases. The Board approved a slight 2.46% increase this year, due to cost-of-living increases that touched all areas of our economy. Spending priorities must be on the health, safety and welfare of community members and visitors; everyone must feel safe and be able to access amenities. This includes emergency services provided by our Police and Fire departments, as well as roads, sidewalks and other vital infrastructure managed by our Public Works Department. We must continue to invest in hiring the best and brightest individuals in these areas, and throughout our entire organization. Other important investments would relate to the former Arlington Park Property. Prior to joining the Village Board 12 years ago, and since, we have always been careful not to spend on anything frivolous or careless; we carefully vet any item to ensure it is critical and necessary. I would continue this vital practice relating to the use of public funds. I do not believe spending needs to be decreased in any area at this time.

What do you see as the most important infrastructure project you 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?

Our underground storm sewers and other water infrastructure in many areas of town are at the end of their life expectancy — which is 100 years. The good news is the Village has a budget and plan to address this. I was in support of our budget being adjusted to properly replace these vital systems by addressing different portions on a yearly basis.

Our Village Board approved this, and it will be paid for through careful fiscal planning centered around these important service delivery priorities.

Regarding our stormwater system, we’ve worked with the Arlington Heights Park District to coordinate the use of their land for underground stormwater management, to alleviate flooding in problematic areas of town. Over the last 12 years, we’ve hired engineers and underwent a massive study, then began addressing this important issue area by area from north to south. Now we are in our final phase in the central part of Arlington Heights. This has been paid for through funds dedicated to these types of projects. Due to our stringent fiscal policies, I don’t know of any projects presently that are not vital, or that should be put on the back burner.

Describe your leadership style and explain how you think it will be effective in producing effective actions and decisions with your village board or city council.

My leadership style is about empowerment, inclusiveness, and having people in the right places to continue to deliver the exceptional services our community has come to expect. I would listen to constituents, strengthen collaborations and guide our board to be the strongest team possible. Through my career, I have observed a variety of different leadership styles on municipal boards. I would encourage our Board to become more involved with information shared on a weekly basis from Village staff and take leadership roles that assist in our deliberations and decisions on behalf of Arlington Heights. I believe this will strengthen leadership, engagement, and cooperation, and help us to become an even more effective board for our community.

Regarding leadership of the entire organization, we have highly qualified, credentialed and experienced professional staff. My leadership style as Mayor would be to work hand in hand with our Village Manager to help guide policy decisions, and not to micromanage our staff of more than 400 employees. I would always work to reach consensus when needed, with each Village Trustee having an equal vote and no strong mayor power.

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

I would like to find a way to keep our community as vibrant, active and wonderful through the colder months as it is in the spring and summer, so I would propose having an ice skating rink at Harmony Park. I would love to find a way to make this happen through sponsorships and business participation to provide outside financial resources to support it, in partnership with our park district. This would not only provide another recreation opportunity in town — but also increase activity and customers who could patronize our local businesses.

We should always be thinking about these types of new initiatives and partnerships, to continue to add to, and enhance, quality of life in Arlington Heights through new amenities that benefit the community. As a result, an even more supportive environment can be created for our local businesses — who carry the lion’s share of our tax base and burden. This proposed initiative and others not yet thought of, can add to the vitality of Arlington Heights, and support the delivery of exceptional services to our community members, without the need to raise taxes.