Election 2013: James McCague

Campaign Info

• Position Sought: Orland Park Public Library Board
• Website
• Email: citizensforjamesmccague@gmail.com
• Phone:
• Hometown: Orland Park

Personal Info

• Family: James and Patricia McCague, father and mother
• Education: University of Illinois at Chicago, 2011, BA Political Science
• Occupation: Public Relations
• Political Party Affiliation: Non-Partisan

Candidate Questions

Why are you seeking office?

I am running to guarantee the Orland Park Public Library stays fiscally responsible and viable for the future.

What will be your single most important priority if you get elected?

I will work to ensure Orland Park taxpayers are fully represented and that the library stays committed to providing the best service and facilities that are within the library’s financial boundaries.

What sets you apart from other candidates? 

I will bring a younger perspective to the library board, drawing upon my experience as a young adult in the 21st century. I believe my experience would be an excellent choice to bring fresh ideas to the board.

What are the biggest challenges facing the library? How do you propose to solve them?

Staying financially sound in the 21st century is the number one issue in my opinion. We live in a tough time. Unemployment is around 7%, and it seems to be the new normal. This affects Orland Park Library’s tax base. If taxpayers can’t pay, the library must be prepared so that the library staff is paid and services do not falter. The library must adjust its budget every year to reflect not only present financial conditions but also the future conditions to ensure the library remains financially viable.

What can the library do to stay relevant as technology evolves?

No matter how far technology advances, the library will always be relevant. It is a place that the community gathers in fellowship, whether for one of the many talks and presentations the library hosts, or one of the book clubs, or even an educational class taught by the library staff. The library provides a positive service for all the residents of Orland Park. So, no matter how much technology changes the library will be there to serve the community as a center of fellowship and learning.

How do you propose constructing a budget that doesn’t burden taxpayers, while keeping the library competitive and desirable?

It should be spent on only what is necessary and not on products or services that the library already possesses and what will cost taxpayers more in the long run. If money can be saved, then it must be saved.

Are there other services the library could provide, and if so what are they?

I believe the library could host a number of educational seminars on finding employment as well as host a job fair a couple times a year. Such a program could help college graduates or recently laid off individuals find a job. The educational seminars could help job seekers with resume building tips and proper techniques to follow in an interview.

What’s you favorite book?

Two Treatises of Government by John Locke.

Have you ever been charged with a crime? Were you convicted? If yes, please say what the charge was, and what was the case's outcome as it stands.

No.

Are there any candidates in other races you would like to endorse here?

No.

Read about other candidates running for the library board.