Candidate – Jon Centers’ Response to HP Forward Endorsement Questionnaire

Question 1: Why are you seeking a position on the Council and what unique attributes, experience and skills would enhance your electability and improve the work of the council?

Jon Center: As a lifelong Highland Parker, I am passionate about our city and share the vision of making it the premier destination on the North Shore. I value its rich history, natural beauty, and traditions while recognizing the need for thoughtful development and forward-thinking leadership.

I bring critical financial expertise as a CPA and leadership experience as a CFO/COO skills currently missing from the Council. I am seeking a position because I see an opportunity to enhance fiscal accountability, improve oversight, and implement best practices to uphold high standards, ensuring Highland Park remains a city of which we can all be proud of.

As a 40-year-old resident, husband, and father of two, I represent an underrepresented demographic on the Council. I have built a strong and committed network that represents the future of Highland Park and one that has expressed immense enthusiasm for the candidacy of a peer. I am energized to bring the voice of family-aged residents to the table and contribute to building a more vibrant, thriving community.

Question 2: What improvements and changes would you work for in city government and in the community at large?

JonCenter: I aim to bring meaningful improvements to city government by applying my private-sector expertise in identifying inefficiencies, strengthening financial oversight, and driving innovative solutions. Over my career, I have collaborated with global organizations to streamline operations, enhance accountability, and implement best practices—experience that directly translates to optimizing government processes and delivering impactful results for Highland Park.

A thriving local economy is vital to our city’s future. I will focus on creating a more business-friendly environment by modernizing outdated policies, fostering partnerships with the private sector, and supporting small businesses. These efforts will expand the tax base, alleviate the financial burden on homeowners, and revitalize business districts to ensure Highland Park remains competitive with neighboring communities.

Transparency, sound fiscal oversight, and the responsible use of taxpayer dollars are critical priorities. My financial background positions me to enhance accountability and ensure decisions are guided by data and best practices, helping to build a more efficient and resilient city government.

Question 3: How do you believe the city is currently meeting the mission of a vibrant and thriving local business community, and what would you do differently?

Jon Center: Highland Park has recently made encouraging progress, but there is still significant potential to unlock in both Ravinia and the downtown area. With its beautiful infrastructure and rich history, our city is uniquely positioned to become a premier destination on the North Shore. Achieving this requires a bold, collaborative strategy involving property owners, restaurateurs, real estate brokers, and prospective tenants to revitalize our business districts with diverse retailers, restaurants, and lifestyle brands.

To foster a thriving business community, we must embrace innovative public-private partnerships and carefully designed incentives that drive economic growth while delivering long-term returns. As a CPA and real estate CFO/COO, I bring expertise in financial planning, strategic execution, and operational oversight to ensure these initiatives are both impactful and sustainable.

While focusing on economic growth, we must also honor Highland Park’s unique character and traditions, creating vibrant spaces that reflect our city’s values. A thriving local economy will expand the tax base, ease the financial burden on homeowners, and strengthen our sense of community, making Highland Park a place we’re all proud to call home.

Question 4: Explain your understanding of the role of the city council in interacting with the community, commissions, and city staff while setting city policy and operating plans.

Jon Center: The city council’s role is to serve as a bridge between the community and city government, ensuring that residents’ voices are heard while providing strategic oversight for city policies and plans. This involves collaborating with commissions to gather expert input, working closely with city staff to implement policies efficiently, and maintaining open channels of communication with the public.

I believe early engagement with community members on proposed projects and developments is essential. By conducting upfront diligence and gathering feedback early, the Council can avoid incurring unnecessary costs at the expense of taxpayers and ensure decisions are informed and reflective of community priorities.

I am deeply grateful for the countless volunteers who serve on our commissions and bring their expertise to the table. Their dedication and hard work play a critical role in ensuring that decisions are made thoughtfully and with appropriate consideration. The contributions of these residents help ensure that Highland Park continues to benefit from a broad range of perspectives and insights, making our community stronger and more vibrant.

I would also like to assess the structure and completeness of our commissions to ensure that they are meeting the city’s needs. For example, should the Business and Economic Development Advisory Group revert from an advisory group into a decision-making commission that actively supports business growth? Additionally, I believe Highland Park would benefit from establishing a finance committee, which I would be eager to champion to enhance fiscal oversight and planning.

Question 5: Please explain your views on the liquor license law and how you reached your decision.

Jon Center: I believe the current liquor license law is outdated and should have been repealed, following the example of the significant majority of other jurisdictions. While it is crucial for Councilmembers to perform due diligence on decisions like this, that diligence has already been completed. With 82% support to repeal – one of the most supported referendum in the entire state of Illinois- there is no justification for further delays.

As a representative of the community, my personal opinion should take a back seat to the will of the people, and the message they delivered could not have been clearer. Highland Park deserves leaders who listen, act transparently, and put the community’s interests above politics. That’s what I stand for, and that’s why I’m running.

Question 6: Using the recent conflict over the liquor license laws as an example, what was done correctly by the council and what changes, if any, do you believe are appropriate for the council to consider when dealing with public policy issues going forward?

Jon Center: The recent conflict over the liquor license laws underscores the need to respect historical precedent while embracing change when the community’s voice is overwhelmingly clear. While the Council’s initial consideration was appropriate, the lack of timely action after 82% of voters supported repeal raises concerns about transparency and responsiveness.

Moving forward, the Council must prioritize open dialogue and transparency. Controversial issues should be addressed through public discussions and meaningful community engagement, fostering trust and mutual respect. Addressing potential conflicts of interest through proper recusal is equally essential to ensure decisions reflect the will of the people, not personal agendas.

Highland Park deserves leadership that listens, acts decisively, and puts the public’s interests first. This situation serves as a clear reminder of the need for stronger communication and accountability in governance.

Closing Statement

Jon Center: Highland Park is a city with immense potential, rich history, and vibrant traditions. I am running for City Council to bring fresh leadership, critical financial expertise, and a forward-thinking approach to ensure our community thrives. With a deep commitment to transparency, fiscal accountability, and inclusiveness, I aim to foster a more business friendly environment, expand our tax base, and reduce the financial burden on residents—all while honoring the unique character of our city.

As a lifelong Highland Parker, husband, and father, I understand the importance of creating a city that serves all generations. I will champion thoughtful policies, open dialogue, and innovative solutions to enhance economic growth, revitalize our business districts, and strengthen community trust. Highland Park deserves leaders who listen, act decisively, and put the public’s interests first. I am ready to work tirelessly to make Highland Park the premier city on the North Shore—one we are all proud to call home.

I humbly seek HP Forward’s endorsement and look forward to the opportunity to serve our city with integrity and purpose.

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