Jim Kirsch
Personal Statement My Record The Issues Resume and Background

Campaign Co-chairs:
Mayor Mike Belsky
Highland Park

Karen May
State Rep., 58th District

Susan Garrett
State Senator, 29th District

Endorsed by:
Michael Brenner
Highland Park City Councilman

Steve Mandel
Highland Park City Councilman

Larry Silberman
Highland Park City Councilman

Scott Levenfeld
Highland Park City Councilman

Terri Olian
Highland Park
City Councilwoman

Ron Zweig
Highland Park City Treasurer

Dan Pierce
Former Mayor, Highland Park
Former State Representative
Member and Former President, North Shore Sanitary District Board

Dan Hynes
State Comptroller

Alexi Giannoulias
State Treasurer

Lauren Beth Gash
Former State Representative

Anne Bassi
Lake County Board Member

Michelle Feldman
Lake County Board Member

Carol Speilman
Former Lake County Board Member

Margie Sandlow
Member, NSSD 113 School Board

Joel Hurwitz
Member, NSSD 113 School Board

Harvey Cohen
Member, NSSD 113 School Board

Nancy Rosenbaum
President, Board of Park Commissioners

Lorry Werhane
Vice-President, Board of Park Commissioners

Cal Bernstein
Member, Board of Park Commissioners

Elaine Waxman
Member, Board of Park Commissioners

Stacy Weiss
Member, Board of Park Commissioners

Rick Smith
Former President, Board of Park Commissioners

Richard Korengold
Chair, Business and Economic Development Commission

Steve Hamel
Past-Chair, Business and Economic Development Commission

Marla Forbes
Member, Business and Economic Development Commission

Al Klairmont
Prsident, Property Owners Association

More supporters >>

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In the News | Community Support
Green Campaign/Environmental Issues

Fiscal Responsibility
You Can Count On

City governments all across Illinois face enormous challenges during these uncertain economic times. This feeling was summarized in a recent page 1 headline in the Chicago Tribune: "Suburbs face a storm of service cuts; Municipalities foresee less tax revenue as economy worsens."

I am proud to say Highland Park was not mentioned by the Tribune as an example of one the cities already faced with these difficult fiscal decisions. Relatively speaking, the city is in good financial condition. Based on my record on the council, I think there are several reasons I deserve re-election, but I want to talk first about the need for stability in financial leadership during these challenging conditions.

We entered this year with a 38% fund balance. When compared to other cities, such as the City of Chicago with less than a 1% fund balance, we are well prepared to operate in these challenging economic times. This is due in part to our AAA Bond Rating and our continued fiscal responsibility.

It is with great pride that I look back on our accomplishments, including reducing the city's portion of your property tax bill to 6.60%, the lowest level in recent history and approximately 35% less than the city's share a decade ago. While the overall property tax bill has gone up in recent years, the city's portion of your tax bill has gone down.

As Chairman of both the Finance Committee and the Highland Park CBD Private/Public Economic Alliance, I have been a catalyst for change that has resulted in sound economic growth and municipal fiscal responsibility. We have dramatically increased our funding for streets, sewers, bridges, drinking water and other core infrastructure components while decreasing our city's dependency on your property taxes.

While I am pleased with our city's accomplishments to date, there are challenging issues facing our community, and our nation, that require my continued effort and energy as a public servant. Local property values are under pressure and competition relating to our business district has never been more intense. These issues require thoughtful and positive leadership at all levels of government.

In addition to economic issues, I am actively engaged in numerous quality of life initiatives relating to protecting our environment, providing services for our growing senior community and ensuring that our community's youth are as safe and protected as possible. I want to continue to help build a foundation for our future.

I have a passion to serve the residents of Highland Park because my goal is to give back to the community that provided me with so much throughout my long residency. Constituent service, thoughtful legislative action and prudent fiscal policy are all critical to positive and productive public service.

Because of the challenges and opportunities that must be addressed in our community, it is vital that I continue to apply my energies toward the betterment of Highland Park.Please feel free to contact me at anytime to discuss local issues, your vision for our future or concerns you may have about our community. I can be reached at home at 847.926.8919 or via email at HPKirsch@Comcast.net.

In the News

Jim is proudly endorsed by the Sierra Club.

Strongly Endorsed by
Highland Park News

Early Voting has been
extended through April 6
You can vote early at
North Shore Health Center
1840 Green Bay Rd.
9:00 - 4:30 daily
Note: if you are going to be out of Lake County on voting day,
please vote early.

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Spotlight on the Issues

Fiscal Responsibility
We lobby to reform and reduce residential property taxes. Read more.

Improving Streets, Sewers & Flood Control Systems
We have passed new laws protecting homewoners. Read more.

Enhancing Public Safety
We have implemented new technologies to enhance safety by monitoring speeding. Read more.

Controlling Development
We advocate thoughtful zoning initiatives to grow retail tax base while enhancing residential property values. Read more.

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Contact Us: contact@jimkirsch.com 847-926-8919 P.O. Box 1601, HIghland Park, Illinois 60035

© 2008 Jim Kirsch. All rights reserved. webmaster@jimkirsch.com.

The statements, opinions, and views expressed by the author in this website are the personal statements, opinions, and views of the author and are not intended to be, and should not be construed, deemed, or interpreted to be, or to reflect either (a) those of any other elected or appointed official, officer, agent, or employee of the City of Highland Park or (b) the official policy of the City of Highland Park. No endorsement of the statements, opinions, and views in this website should be inferred unless specifically identified as the official policy of the City of Highland Park.

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