Property Tax Reform
Residential property taxes can be a burden to citizens when values increase at a faster rate than people’s incomes and Jim wants those people to remain in our community. As a result Councilman Kirsch is lobbying the state legislature to reform and reduce residential property taxes. As the only candidate with endorsements from state Sen. Susan Garrett (D., Lake Forest), and state Rep. Karen May (D.,Highland Park), no one is better positioned than Jim for this task.

Infrastructure Improvement
Improvement of Highland Park’s streets, sewers and water plant are a long term project that Jim has fought for during his current tenure on the City Council and will continue to shepherd as one of his goals during his next term. Councilman Kirsch has good working relationships with the appropriate city, county, state and federal officials to accomplish this. Only Jim has the endorsement of both of Highland Park’s members on the Lake County Board, Supervisor Ann Bassi (D., Highland Park) and Carol Spielman (D., Highland Park).

Development
Maintaining Highland Park’s unique charm and commercial prosperity requires striking that delicate balance between the needs of all members of our community and that has been one of the hallmarks of Jim’s career on the City Council. That is why Councilman Kirsch advocates thoughtful zoning initiatives to that will grow the city’s retail sales tax base while protecting the diversity and use of the business district as well as residential property rights and values. As the only candidate with the endorsement of Mayor Mike Belsky and all of his fellow colleagues on the Council, no candidate is better equipped to do this than Jim.

Public Safety
In these times of growing uncertainty about our safety, Jim was quick to recognize the need for government to do more to make Highland Park’s citizens safe from forces that do not cherish our way of life. Jim has lobbied legislators at all levels to get the necessary funding for the city’s homeland security efforts. In addition, Councilman Kirsch’s idea of using unstaffed radar devices in different parts of Highland Park to determine where drivers pay the least regard to speed limits was embraced by the police department. This enables officers to more efficiently protect our streets. As the only candidate with the backing of all the elected local, county and state officials who represent Highland Park, Jim will be the best champion of the public safety.