Joseph Oscepinski, La Salle County Council 2022 Primary Election Questionnaire – Shaw Local

Full Name: Joseph Oscepinski Jr.

What office are you looking for? Re-election Lasalle County Council District 10

What offices, if any, have you already held? Nothing

City: Peru

Occupation: UPS Dock

Education: Lasalle canton high school in Peru

CCVI

Campaign website: None at this time.

Will you vote for a property tax hike to improve county services? Why or why not?

No -I will work to continue doing what I was doing so as not to increase.

What do you think of the expansion of renewable energy in La Salle County?

I am not against solar wind farms and we need to do a better job of increasing capital investment for job growth.

What can the county do to increase revenue without raising property taxes?

We need to let natural growth happen through capital investment and job growth.

How would you rate the resources allocated to law enforcement, specifically the sheriff’s office, in La Salle County?

The sheriff’s budget has increased by $500,000. As Chair of the Law and Justice Committee and a member of the Public Safety Committee, we work closely together to provide our law enforcement professionals with what they need.

What capital projects should La Salle County prioritize?

The pandemic has taught us to prioritize clean air projects.

How can the La Salle County government make the most of the county’s tourism industry?

Lasalle County collects a pillow tax from unincorporated areas of the county, and in return, we use that money to help fund countywide activities. Lasalle County also has a tourism committee.

What efficiencies should be sought in La Salle County government?

Save the taxpayers momey is number 1 on the list and are doing what we can to help streamline processes to help the county’s day-to-day operations.

Assess the actions of the La Salle County Health Department to combat COVID-19? What changes, if any, need to be made in relation to the pandemic?

I believe the Lasalle County Health Department has done a fantastic job and continues to do a fantastic job. We had good reports from the public.

How would you encourage economic and job growth in La Salle County?

Maintain a stable tax base.

Do you think there is a local crime problem? If so, what should be done about it?

At the county level, we need to ensure that law enforcement has the proper tools and support to do their job there. I’ve been doing this since I’ve been on the county council.

What local road and bridge projects should be prioritized in the county?

All of this needs work. We hire a county engineer who presents a multi-year plan to the council for us to maintain the roads and bridges.

Are you in favor of lowering local property taxes? If so, how would the county make up the difference?

Yes, we just need to keep working hard to make Lasalle County government as self-sufficient as possible.

Do you support stronger county government ethics laws? What measures do you support?

Since joining the Board of Directors, I have voted in favor of adopting an ethics policy and will work to strengthen it. Before I joined the board, there was no ethics policy.

What do you think of the Illinois Freedom of Information Act?

All for faith and total transparency. Please indicate your plan for maintaining open government. I think we are more transparent than any government in IL. We provide YouTube viewing so anyone can attend a meeting. Everything is posted on our website lasallecounty.org Our employees are always there to help and assist the public with what they need.

What would you do as a county government member to boost local businesses?

Local business development and tax relief.

Should government employees and officials be allowed to sign non-disclosure agreements with private companies?

NOPE

Would you lobby for or against allowing government officials and employees to sign non-disclosure agreements with private companies?

I would be against anything that does not reveal or divulge this information.