Greg Boltz suggests it would be hypocritical to accept a taxpayer-funded pension if he's elected as Downers Grove Township Assessor.
"Our State and some local governments are in serious trouble due to underfunded pension liabilities," Boltz said in a press release recently. "I believe it is critical not just to talk about these problems, but to lead by example and not participate in the pension system.”
Reboot Illinois, a nonpartisan social media website, said the state would likely owe $6.8 billion – 21 percent of its $32 billion budget – to pensions in 2016.
“Illinois has to start with little decisions,” Boltz told the DuPage Policy Journal. “I want to be part of the team that solves the problems in our state.”
The Chicago Tribune said Downers Grove residents have to deal with a 4 percent increase in property taxes this year to help fund fire and police pensions. The paper also said the township must put in more than $490,000 to the pensions, a jump of approximately 9 percent from 2016.
Boltz, a CPA, has 30 years of finance and real estate experience. He is a long term Senior Officer with his firm and an active community volunteer. He said his experience has developed his people skills and financial expertise. He is also active in his church and the local YMCA board.
“With this job, you have to have people skills,” he said. “You have to be outgoing and be a problem solver. Those are both critical to do.”
He also said the assessor’s position is particularly critical right now, and he is seeking the position because he wants to “solve the problems in our state,” starting with property tax reform.
“It affects every single person in the township and is an extremely important job, financially and analytically,” Boltz said.
He also said he would like to host forums at which the citizens have access to community information.
Alerts Sign-up