How Is Niles Mayor Przybylo Doing On Campaign Promises So Far?

Niles Mayor Andrew Przybylo, who was sworn in three months ago-on May 14--put out a campaign brochure in March promising he and his Niles New Party would accomplish certain things in three months, seven months and 10 months.

So how has Przybylo done? Of the five things he listed as his three-month goals, some are completed, some are in the works, and he accomplished some other things not on the list. That's a pretty good report card considering most of Przybylo's time has been spent mopping up after an unforeseen event--two big floods, on April 18 and June 26--that severely damaged many residents' homes.

When asked how his first quarter has gone, Przybylo said, "I am enjoying it. It's rewarding. It'a  little more time than I thought, but it's good. You really can help people." 

Here's a look at some of the things that have happened.

Niles Flooding Issues and the Stormwater Plan

After the April and June floods, more than 460 Niles homeowners applied to the village for financial relief to install expensive flood prevention devices. The village in July changed the budget to allot $1.2 million to give to these homeowners.

"We're trying to do the right thing, but there are two issues," Przybylo said. 

The first is that people who installed their flood control systems before the village reimbursement program went into effect are asking for reimbursement.

The second is that people who missed the June 28 deadline to apply for reimbursement are asking to get in on the program. Przybylo said these latecomers are being put on a waiting list, and if any of the applicants who filed on time turn out to not be eligible for the reimbursement, then candidates on the waiting list will be moved into their slots.

Anti-Fraud Training for Seniors

This goal was met, with the Niles Police Department instituting the SCRAM program (Senior Crime Reduction Awareness Measures). It will provide a series of educational programs on topics such as identity theft and ruse entry burglary, as well as refrigerator magnets and other items to remind seniors to be alert to fraudsters.

Performance Management System

Przybylo said he and senior staff have discussed getting a performance management system for village employees. The village was hoping to get a system donated, he said, but that has not panned out, and consequently the village is looking at purchasing a system.

Ethics E-Training

Przybylo said he was hoping to get an ethics training program from Cook County, his employer, but did not receive it. He has asked Joe Annunzio, the village attorney, Trustee George Alpogianis and MIS Director Bill Shaw to develop one.

Reorganizing Village Board Trustees into a Committee System

Przybylo has made assignments to trustees to chair various areas of village government.  

Have an Inspector General oversee the Ethics Committee

The board approved adding an inspector general to the Niles Ethics Board. 

"I and the board want to make it a citizens' committee," he said. "The Inspector General will be independent. I will have to appoint him, but it will be with the advice and consent of the village board and the ethics board," he said.

When reports of ethics violations come in, the inspector general, the village attorney and the chair of the ethics committee will look at the data, and if they determine it could be a violation, send it to the full ethics committee, Przybylo said.

Animal Control Officer

Przybylo pointed out that, although this was not on his 90-day list, an animal control officer has been assigned to duty. 

Economic Development 

Przybylo said he is concerned by the fact Golf Mill Shopping Center is for sale, and also with the state of some of the properties on Touhy Avenue between Lehigh and Caldwell. 

"I'm thinking about creating a commission for neighborhood development and economic renewal," he said, saying he would like to add bankers and real estate professionals to offer expertise and perspective.

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