Jeff May
March 29, 2011 7:42PM
Office sought: Trustee, Joliet Junior College
Name: Jeff May
Address: 25545 Northcrest Dr, Minooka, IL 60447
Date of birth: May 26, 1952
Email: trstmay@aol.com
Facebook: Yes, under Jeff May
Twitter handle: @JeffMayforJJC
Telephone numbers:
Home: 815 467-9050
Education: M.S. Education Administration, Illinois State University; Superintendents Endorsment, University of Illinois – Champaign/Urbana
Occupation, employer: Retired from Education Service Network (January 1st, 2010)
Please list all sources of income: A copy of my economic interest statement is on file with the Will County Circuit Clerk.
Spouse, spouse’s employer: Real Estate Agent; Will County Board Member.
Children, age of children, children’s employer (if applicable): Taylor May, aged 16.
Please list any relatives, including in-laws, who are employed by a government agency at the federal, state or local levels. What are their job titles and with what agency are they employed? N/A
What other elected offices have you sought? What year? Twice elected to the JJC Board (1999 and 2006).
Have you ever been arrested or charged with a crime? If so, for what? What was the disposition? No.
Do you have any criminal convictions on your record? If so, for what? What was your sentence? No.
Political (elected or significant appointment) experience:
Past President; Illinois Community College Trustees Association.
Board Member: Association of Community Trustees.
In your view, what are the two most important issues facing your constituents? How would you address those issues?
1.) Keeping tax rates and tuition low in light of the State of Illinois’ fiscal situation. As a trustee, I have worked to insure that JJC is $20 million in the black. JJC has the 5th lowest tax rate in the State. JJC will has tuition that is average to below average for the State.
2.) Expand course offerings to insure JJC students have opportunities to good paying jobs. JJC is building new facilities and programs that will accomplishes this goal.
Please explain something significant you would like to accomplish within the next two years if you are elected to the office to which you aspire.
As an Association of Community College Board member, to identify and implement strategies that will increase college completion and move community colleges from enrollment to outcome based goals.
Please explain how you believe the office you’re seeking can help in creating local jobs.
According to the Illinois Department of Labor, middle skill jobs are and will be the largest percentage of new jobs, and community colleges are the the primary trainers for these positions. JJC’s capitol program has focused on building new facilities that will provide skills to area students so that they can be hired in these jobs. Programs include but are not limited to the: automotive technology, culunary arts, hospitality, science, and allied health fields.
Do you believe the current way Illinois pays for education is working? If so, why? If not, why not? What would you change?
The State should only allocate funds that they have. Fortunately, because of the foresight of JJC’s administration and Board, the college is fiscally healthy, the property tax rate is low and tuition is affordable.
Would you make any changes to the budget of the governing unit to which you are seeking elected office? If so, what?
The board has a committee that is looking for ways to cut costs and has saved hundreds of thousands of dollars. I have recently asked administration to only refill existing full time positions, despite continued increases in the student population. The board is also studying to see if there are programs that are no longer needed.
Are there any other issues you want to bring to the public’s attention? If so, what?
I have been awarded a certificate from the Illinois Community College Association for attending over thirty trainings in order to improve my skills as a trustee.
