John Fotopoulos
March 28, 2011 1:30PM
John Fotopoulos, candidate for trustee in Orland Park, Illinois. | Supplied photo
Name: John Fotopoulos
Office sought: Village of Orland Park Trustee
Campaign contact information—
Website: Facebook Elect John S. Fotopoulos for Village of Orland Park Trustee
E-mail address: jsf@fotopouloslaw.com
Phone:708-226-9000
Address: 14496 John Humphrey Drive , Orland Park, Illinois 60462
Personal contact information—
E-mail address: jsf@fotopouloslaw.com
Work phone: 708-266-9000
Home address: 15564 Scotsglen Road, Orland Park, Illinois 60462
Date of Birth : January 21, 1971 (40 years old)
Family (name, relationship and age): Wife – Cary (36 years old) ; Children: Maria (6 years old), Spyro (4 years old), Peter (1 years old). We are expecting another child June 2011.
Education (degree and school):
Law Degree -John Marshall Law School, Chicago Illinois
Bachelors Accounting and Finance – University of Illinois at Chicago
High School – St. Laurence
Occupation: Attorney - Law Office of John S. Fotopoulos, 14496 John Humphrey Drive, Orland Park, Illinois
Previous elected offices: None. Candidate for Trustee of Orland Park- April 2001.
List of 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? None.
Have you ever been arrested or charged with a crime? No.
Do you have any criminal convictions on your record? No.
Political experience. None.
In your view, what are the two most important issues facing your constituents? How would you address the issues?
I have been a resident of Orland Park since 1994. I live in the Colette Highland subdivision with my wife Cary and three young children. My wife and I are expecting our fourth child early summer. I am committed to the Village of Orland Park. I intend on improving the economy of the village by creating an environment that spurs business development, increases public safety and improves the quality of life for our residents.
Secondly, I am also committed to developing strategies that will allow our seniors, who built Orland Park into the community we love, an affordable place to live on their retirement income. As trustee, I will use my experience as a small business owner and attorney to make sure the residents of Orland Park have an active voice in government and opportunities to shape policy that will make Orland Park a regional hub for business growth, community development, arts, and the place to live.
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.
I would like to make a difference! In these tough economic times, we can’t continue with the same old same old of tax and spend. Things must change and I believe I will bring fresh ideas to the challenges that we face in the village.
I intend to bring new leadership and innovative ideas to build on Orland Park’s rich history. I plan to reduce spending, attract new employment opportunities, improve public safety and support park and recreation activities for our children (football, baseball, soccer, etc.). When budgeting, we must get back to the basic financial formula. 2+2=4. If we only have $4, we can only spend $4.
Please explain how you believe the office you’re seeking can help in creating local jobs.
I will work with the business community to open lines of communication to address its concerns. Presently, government is taxing our businesses to the point that they are leaving the Village of Orland Park. I would like to see taxes reduced not only for the residents but also for the business owner. If we can attract business into Orland Park, then new jobs will be created.
Do you believe the current way Illinois pays for education is working?
Yes. I believe the local community has to control its educational system. One of the major reasons people move into Orland Park is because of the schools. Therefore, it is ridiculous to turn over control of the school districts to the State of Illinois. However, I do believe that the school districts should scrutinize their budgets more carefully.
Would you make any changes to the budget of the governing unit to which you are seeking elected office?
We must put an end to balancing the budget on the backs of the residents. It’s not balancing a budget when government increases taxes or fees! The formula is simple. 2 +2 =4.
Are there any other issues you want to bring to the public’s attention?
I believe we must review the village’s commitment to Tax Increment Financing Districts with the goal of transparency. Specifically, is our commitment to these districts worthwhile and how are they going to benefit the village going forward. I am also committed to ensuring that Orland Park is an affordable place to live for our seniors, who made Orland Park, into the community we all know and love.
