Jack Brogan: 2025 candidate for Mount Prospect village board

Bio

Office sought: Mount Prospect village board (Vote for 3)

City: Mount Prospect

Age: 58

Occupation: Retired Mount Prospect police sergeant and homebuilder

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?

Increase in crime, Prestige Feed, village staff accountability, excessive litigation expenses!

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?

We are treading water financially. We need to diversify our sales tax base in threat of negative financial cycles including excessive litigation, spending and downside.

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?

The “Bridge.” No other cooperation from any other entitles. Mutual participation and contribution must be revisited. Continue to partner with other taxing bodies like River Trails Park District which provided water retention, and levee 37 with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Public utilities on the south side TIF for infrastructure which future development will soon attract and follow.

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.

For many years I was a lead detective working many difficult criminal cases. In 2014, I was number one on the sergeant’s promotional exam, having never taken that exam before. In 2018, I attended Northwestern University Police Staff & Command, which is a 10-week intensive police executive leadership course. There were 32 students from all over the country from different law enforcement agencies in attendance. After two weeks I was selected by the class to be the class president of class #448. I would bring those same leadership skills to lead local government. I am a proven leader who leads from the front.

What makes you the best candidate for the job?

My deep knowledge of Mount Prospect. As a retired police sergeant and longtime detective, I have responded to thousands of calls of service to help many Mount Prospect residents who required help in their darkest hours. I have helped many families navigate through crisis in which many cases had life-changing, and life-ending consequences which in many times, changes people forever.

As I have stated in the past, I know the haves and the have-nots. I treated our residents who lived in the apartments the same as those who lived in the single-family homes. In 2002 when I was married, many of the guests at our wedding were Mount Prospect residents and business owners that I met on the job who became lifelong friends to this day.

I know how the municipality as a whole needs to work for the residents. As a 30-year municipal employee and longtime, small-time business owner, I know that struggle. I don’t believe any other candidate can say this. Also, I have more EQ than IQ, which is why I don't just think outside the box, I pick up the box and look underneath the box.

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

The village needs an “in house attorney.” This attorney would report directly to the village board and mayor. This position would be to immediately access risk and avoid litigation at all costs. I submitted a FOIA for the legal bills of Klein Thorpe & Jenkins for the last 10 years. This law firm has billed the village almost $7 million. I believe this billing is excessive and could be drastically reduced.