In assuming his new role as president of the Park Ridge Park District, Mel Thillens will join a board that shares his belief that progressive tax reform has no place in the community's property taxes.
“I’ve been happy in the last five years to vote to hold the property tax levy flat, and I’m proud we now have a majority of the board that agrees with me,” Thillens, a former Republican candidate for state Senate, told the North Cook News in an interview.
Thillens, a former vice president of the board who replaced outgoing four-term President Jim O’Brien, will serve with Harmony Harrington, vice president; Jim Janak, secretary; and Jim O’Donnell, treasurer. The election results were announced April 19, according to Journal & Topics.
Mel Thillens
In 2016, Thillens ran for Senate in the 28th District against incumbent Sen. Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines). He operates a family-owned armored car business, Thillens Inc.
Crediting the ability of park facilities to be self-sustaining as a reason for sticking with a flat tax, Thillens said strong leadership at the parks has boosted their use to “record levels.”
“More people are using the parks than ever,” Thillens explained. “Because of program success, and refusing to increase taxes, we are able to pull more revenue through voluntary program fees that we charge in taxes. That’s unusual for park districts."
Going forward, Thillens said his tenure would be marked by new projects, like the renovation of the Oakton complex and construction of a park and newly available property.
“I believe projects like this should be brought to referendum in order to let the voters decide how their tax money is spent,” he said.
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