Arlington Heights, IL – As the Arlington Heights mayoral race intensifies, I had the opportunity to sit down with candidate Jon Ridler for an in-depth discussion over Zoom. Ridler shared his vision for the village, addressing key topics such as economic development, housing affordability, and the ongoing debate over the Chicago Bears stadium proposal.
Ridler, currently the executive director of the Arlington Heights Chamber of Commerce, has long been an advocate for business development in the village. He believes the foundation of Arlington Heights’ economy lies in supporting small businesses rather than focusing solely on large-scale projects. “97% of businesses in Illinois have 20 employees or fewer—they are the backbone of our community,” he explained. Ridler emphasized the need for a better system to recruit and retain small businesses while making it easier for them to operate in Arlington Heights.
One of the key issues I raised was police accountability, a topic I have personal experience with. Having gone through the complaint process myself, I asked Ridler if he knew how the process worked when someone files a complaint against an Arlington Heights police officer. He admitted that he was not entirely familiar with the details but was aware that the department has standard operating procedures in place. I then shared my experience and the information I had gathered from the police department, which indicated that complaints are investigated internally by fellow officers. This raised concerns about oversight and transparency.
Ridler acknowledged these concerns and expressed interest in reviewing the process. “It wouldn’t make sense to me that there’s no other accountability besides just internal,” he said. He emphasized the need for clear communication with residents about how complaints are handled and expressed a willingness to explore additional oversight measures to ensure accountability.
Housing affordability remains a pressing issue for many Arlington Heights residents. Ridler proposed increasing housing options for seniors, which would open opportunities for first-time homebuyers. He suggested exploring public-private partnerships to develop rent-controlled housing for seniors, allowing them to downsize without leaving the village. “We need residents to step up and say, ‘I want this in my backyard,’ rather than resisting change,” he said, emphasizing the need for community buy-in on affordable housing initiatives.
A key topic of discussion was the recent contract extension for Village Manager Randy Recklaus. Ridler was clear in his stance that the decision should have been left to the next administration. “I don’t think that contract should have been solidified by the current mayor,” he said. “When you’re coming up to an election where four trustees and the mayor—five members of the board—could change, you shouldn’t be making long-term contract decisions that tie the hands of the next administration.”
Beyond the timing of the extension, I raised concerns over Recklaus’ salary and bonuses, noting that his compensation has increased significantly over the years, with raises well above the national average. I also pointed out that Recklaus’ salary surpasses that of the Illinois governor and questioned whether continued increases would be in the best interest of taxpayers. Ridler acknowledged these concerns, adding, “We need to ask ourselves if we are pricing ourselves out when it comes to the village manager’s pay. At some point, we need to consider sustainability.”
Regarding the potential relocation of the Chicago Bears, Ridler is open to the idea but insists any deal must truly benefit residents. “If we have a true partnership with the Bears organization, then yes, I think that’s where it needs to be,” he said. However, he emphasized that a professional domed stadium should serve more than just football, potentially hosting concerts, conventions, and other large-scale events. He also stressed the importance of including Rolling Meadows, Palatine, and other neighboring communities in the discussion to ensure a well-planned regional approach.
As our conversation concluded, Ridler reiterated his commitment to being a mayor who listens to both residents and business owners. “We need a mayor that is a voice for the people, while the village manager represents staff. Right now, that balance is not there,” he stated. With the election fast approaching, Ridler’s campaign focuses on accountability, economic growth, and transparent governance. Whether tackling police oversight, business development, housing, or the future of Arlington Park, Ridler aims to bring a fresh perspective to Arlington Heights.
Learn More About Jon Ridler’s Campaign
- Website: AHMayor4U.com
- Facebook: facebook.com/AHMayor4U
- YouTube: youtube.com/@AHMayor4U
