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Name: Ajaz Gill
Age: 58
Office sought: Bolingbrook Village trustee
Political party: Bolingbrook United
Town where you currently reside: Bolingbrook
Occupation (employer): Founder of MDI and Nascent Group
Spouse/Children: Wife and three sons
Education: Master's degree in biology
Website: Bolingbrookunited.com
Email: ajazgill@icloud.com
Phone: (630)-965-6955
Facebook: Ajaz Gill
Twitter: GillAjaz
Why are you running for the elected office you're seeking?
Bolingbrook's leadership has grown out of touch with the diversity of the community, who its residents are, and what is important to them. For over 30 years, one party has been in control, and there has been no transparency; change is desperately needed. I am running for trustee because I can help foster that change as well as provide solid business experience to an otherwise experience-lacking Village Board.
What skills, qualities or experience do you have that separate you from your opponents?
I am a 29-year resident of Bolingbrook. Living here for three decades now, I have seen the community grow and flourish. However, with that growth have come many challenges, which have yet to be overcome. Being a founder of two successful businesses and being a part of this community for so long gives me an edge for being the most suitable candidate to overcome these challenges. Being the only candidate who not only owns a local business but also international business, I have many transferable skills which will not only benefit this community but help me excel at this job. I have designed many innovative products which are sold nationwide as well as being showcased in renowned commercial and residential buildings all across the globe. It took a great deal of creativity and determination to get to this point. This creativity, determination and experience is what makes me the most befitting candidate for this job.
What are the greatest challenges Bolingbrook is facing in the coming years?
Bolingbrook's finances are the biggest challenge in the upcoming years. Costly decisions made by the mayor and the current trustees have put us over $300,000,000 in debt. The current board, except for Trustee Jaskiewicz, are not willing to vote against the mayor on any issue since their political future is directly tied to his. The same thing can be said of the First Party candidates who are sponsored almost entirely by the mayor. We cannot hope to get out of our financial difficulties if we continue to elect people who are unwilling to vote against the mayor and put an end to some of his more costly mistakes.
If elected, what will be your top three priorities?
1. Address the massive debt facing Bolingbrook: Bolingbrook is currently over $300,000,000 in debt with seemingly no proper plan(s) in place to reduce it. We must take a hard look at Village assets and determine if we are simply throwing away good money at bad ideas. We have to end the constant debt accumulation and instead instill a pay-as-you-go mentality.
2. End no-bid contracts: Government should provide the highest level of service in the most efficient and cost effective way possible. The Village's current over-reliance on no-bid contracts flies in the the face of those principles.
3. Make Bolingbrook welcome and open: Bolingbrook is one of the most diverse communities in Illinois. Our Village should respect that fact and ensure every resident, business and visitor is treated fairly. This means that the Village government should never use its power to silence dissent or pick on a particular person or group.