South West Illinois News

The Republican political neophyte who soundly defeated a Democratic incumbent for the Jackson County Board District 1 seat in the recent general election said his main goal is to ensure fiscal responsibility regarding taxpayer funds.

"It is important to me that taxpayer funds are used in the most responsible and in the most transparent way possible," Republican José Mendoza Jr. told SE Illinois News. "I would like to find ways to alleviate the tax burden taxpayers here in Jackson County suffer. I will start by leading by example as much as possible, hoping that other County Board members and members of the various other taxing bodies will do the same. I have one vote of 14 on the County Board, and I want to make it count. I will vote 'no' on tax increases."

Mendoza soundly defeated Brian Chapman 2,096 votes to 1,637 to take the District 1 seat. Chapman was appointed to fill the District 1 vacancy created in April 2015 when then-County Board Member Will Alstat won a trustee position on the John A. Logan College Board. Alstat, a former Ora Township supervisor who served on the Jackson County Board for 25 years, died Aug. 19.

Recently elected Jackson County District 1 board member José Mendoza Jr. and his family. | Photo courtesy of José Mendoza Jr

Mendoza's election to the county board seat is very significant, Jackson County Republicans Chairman Gloria Campos told SE Illinois News.

"This is huge," Campos said. "He stayed on target delivering his message to the residents and voters of District 1. The zoning is a big issue with his constituents, balancing the budget, and the size of government. We, the residents of Jackson County, and the residents of Illinois, are tired of seeing people and businesses leaving our state due to the inefficiency of the leadership in our House and Senate, and we are starting to slowly make changes hoping for the best."

Campos said she hopes to see a balanced budget and no more tax increases to fund items the county can't afford.

"Real estate taxes need to be controlled and affordable, and we really need to be objective on what we can afford to do instead of what we want to do, in another words, accountability," Campos said. "There is no doubt in my mind that it was a great election for us Republicans this past month. However, it is not a Republican Party victory. It is an American victory inspired on movement by the middle class, the blue-collar worker hoping to bring more economical stability into our homes, to revive more of our traditional values and a hope of making America great again."

Mendoza said he sees his election as an expression of District 1 voters' belief that he will represent them in the best way possible.

"I would like to see the Jackson County Board utilize a truly comprehensive economic development strategy, which takes into account the fact that we are South Illinoisans, living in South Illinois," Mendoza said. "We are not -- or rather should not be -- separate towns and counties competing with one another. If we are to survive as a people, we must unite together with at least one common goal. We must work together to make South Illinois as self-sufficient as possible, and leave South Illinois a better place for our posterity. We all have a long way to go before that happens." 

The Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy developed for the region in 2010 has been largely ignored by regional development planners and by public office holders at all levels of government, Mendoza said. "Regardless of what work has or hasn't been done by the Jackson County Board thus far, I have compiled a comprehensive economic development strategy for our region, which was put together using the many years of work of an older gentleman named Ron Emery, from Marion," Mendoza said. "I have only added a few touches, which without it, doesn't take anything of substance away from Mr. Emery's fantastic, though very largely ignored work."

Mendoza said he expects no problems working with Democrat Board Chairman John Rendleman, whom he met about a week after the Nov. 8 election.

"I imagine there will be differences of opinion, and I don't think they will be because his name is John Rendleman, or because he's chair of the Jackson County Board, or even because he was elected with a different letter next to his name than I was," Mendoza said. "We are all people, and people sometimes disagree. That will not stop me from representing the people of South Illinois, and I don't think Chairman Rendleman is there to be in my way, or in anyone else's for that matter. At least I hope not."