Bryan Gutraj's Responses to Daily Herald Questions

Full Name: Bryan A. Gutraj Date of Birth: 09 / 12 / 75 Address: 991 McKay Circle City: Grayslake Zip Code: 60030 E-mail Address: bryan@gutraj.com 1. Why are you running for this office, whether for re-election or election the first time? Is there a particular issue that motivates you, and if so, what? What will be your main priority? Having been born and raised in central Lake County, I am poised to bring a unique perspective to the board. In addition to devoting countless hours of service to the Republican Party, I am a CPA who has worked in Fortune 500 companies, medium size business, and a small business starting up. Growing up, I learned firsthand the dedication and commitment required of public servants from my father, retired Grayslake Police Sergeant and former interim Police Chief, Conrad Gutraj. After graduating from Grayslake Community High School, I earned my Bachelor of Science degree from Eastern Illinois University and passed all four parts of the CPA Exam in November 2000. Earlier this month I completed the Juris Doctor curriculum at John Marshall Law School. I founded an accounting and tax practice in Grayslake in 2002. Previously, I worked in accounting and finance for Baxter International and General Electric. More recently, I served as the financial controller of a medium sized direct marketing firm in Wood Dale overseeing all finance and accounting functions. I want to bring my education, experience, and enthusiasm to the Board as it grapples with the many tough issues that have plagued District 6, and the County as a whole. 2. If you are an incumbent, describe your main contributions. Tell us of any important initiatives you've led. If you are not an incumbent, tell us what contributions you would make. Describe any shortcomings in the current board/office/assembly that you would help remedy and explain how. I believe it is time for a new generation of leaders to step forward and lead Lake County in this millennium. Combining my knowledge of the area, with my business acumen and no-nonsense approach to government, I will be a public servant you can be proud of. There are many issues facing our community that remain unresolved by the current board. I can make significant contributions to address the lack of intergovernmental cooperation in the county, support proposals to diversify the tax base that would curb the rise in property taxes we have seen, and work to ease traffic congestion with both the extension of Rt. 53 and improving the existing roadways. Leaders over the past 3 decades have not been able to forge the partnerships needed to secure agreements and funding for Route 53. More recently, the current Forest Preserve has even been unable to agree on such a routine matter as selecting a caterer for Brae Loch. District 6 needs a leader to unite the 4 factions on the County Board and implement alliances with other parts of the state and country to accomplish our legislative goals. 3. What specific steps, if any, should the county board be taking to encourage economic development in the county, and what resources, if any, should it commit to those efforts? With property taxes continuing to escalate, a solid plan is required to curb this growth. District 6 has experienced an enormous boom in residential population over the last decade, however the area has not seen a similar rise in business development. Through development of more small business and light industrial properties, future growth in property taxes can be minimized. Projects such as the Central Range will be imperative for District 6 and the surrounding areas. This project will divert thousands of potential students from further draining our school systems, and be replaced with quality business and light industrial properties to begin to truly diversify the tax base and ease the burden on homeowners. 4. What process and criteria should the board use in determining priorities if county residents vote on March 16 for a sales tax increase to finance highway projects? Name a project or two that you think deserve high priority status and explain why. A regional approach in the county should be utilized to determine which road projects receive priority to utilize the sales tax increase funds. That is, although congestion is horrible throughout my district, the needs of other parts of the county should be balanced to provide the greatest benefit to all county residents. Widening of Washington Street to four lanes, from Lake Michigan to Cedar Lake Road (Although I realize most of it has been or will be completed in the coming year), should be amongst the top priorities as there is significant gridlock on the county's east-west arteries. 5. If voters reject the sales tax increase, what next? Whether the sales tax passes or is defeated in March, the Board must allocate a greater percentage of its budget, or at least new revenues, to the road fund. The sales tax increase will only provide $15 million in revenues to aid highway projects, so more must be done to improve the existing roadways. If the sales tax initiative fails, I would like to lobby the legislature to approve the gasoline tax as it would be a fairer assessment on the users of the roads in the County, and would not discourage business investment in the County as I fear the sales will. Forging partnerships with other Counties and Legislators throughout Illinois will be critical to the passage of the gasoline tax, and such partnerships have been lacking in recent years. 6. What role should the county board play in encouraging and facilitating the construction of affordable housing? Although the current Board has begun to address the lack of affordable housing, a greater emphasis needs to be placed upon this. As with many issues, the availability of affordable housing is a major factor in promoting economic growth as companies look to relocate to Lake County they will consider the impact on their employee's lives. Continued expansion of partnerships whereby new home owner's wishing to live close to work receive part of their down payment should be pursued as it would also aid in the traffic congestion. Further, as areas are redeveloped an emphasis should be placed upon builders to provide for affordable housing as well. 7. What specific actions, if any, should the county board be taking to preserve farmland? The county has been blessed with a rich heritage of farming. Initiatives such as the establishment of a working farm are a start to preserve the history of the farm. However, the Forest Preserve should consider acquiring more of these farms to preserve the open space and to prevent future residential developments. 8. The county board’s strategic plan has drawn some criticism because it makes no mention of accommodating an increasingly diverse population. What role, if any, should the county board play concerning the county’s changing demographics? The Board began to take into account the changing demographics in 2002 when the districts were re-drawn. However, it is difficult to foresee any representation in this decade of ethnically minority groups on the Board. Thus greater citizen participation to encompass the entire county's vision for Lake County should be sought out. 9. What issues would you like to see the board address during the next two years in regard to the county jail and its operation? Lack of planning for infrastructure improvements has been an enormous stumbling block for the County. The jail continues to be overcrowded and poses serious risks to the Sheriff's Staff, as well as inmates. Expansion of the jail is inevitable and perhaps a second location for the jail needs to be seriously explored. 10. As county board members wear their forest preserve commissioner caps, what are the main issues to be addressed during the next two years? As a Forest Preserve Commissioner I would like to address two main issues in my term. First, creating greater efficiencies in the Forest Preserve will free up additional operational monies to open more land to the public. Second I would like to not only see completion of the Des Plaines River bike trail, but I would also like to see great east-west access to trails.