Mayor Robert Straz and Ald. Jeffery Key went head-to-head on key city issues at a candidate forum hosted by the Palos Area Chamber on Thursday, March 6, at the Palos Heights Recreation Center.
Moderated by the League of Women Voters, the event gave both candidates a chance to lay out their vision for the city ahead of the upcoming April 1 election.
Key, who has served as an alderman for 14 years, centered his campaign on what he sees as a failure of leadership and communication in city government. “We need a new vision for Palos Heights, and we need to communicate that vision,” he said. “We cannot afford to repeatedly fail in moving vital issues through the council.”
Straz, who has been mayor for 24 years, defended his tenure, pointing to the city’s financial stability and his success in securing grants. “We have basically run in a surplus for the last 24 years,” Straz said. “Over that time, we’ve secured more than $12 million in grants, which has helped fund projects like the new parking lot at Lake Katherine.”
Property taxes and financial management
With Cook County property taxes rising nearly 20% in the past year, both candidates addressed residents’ concerns over affordability.
“We have run at a very low tax rate compared to other towns in the area,” Straz said, emphasizing Palos Heights’ fiscal discipline. He noted that unlike neighboring cities with larger retail tax revenue, the city relies more heavily on residential taxes but has remained “frugal” in its management.
Key acknowledged the city’s strong financial position but argued that better long-term planning was needed. “The city does a good job managing its funds, but we have to make sure we’re thinking ahead,” he said, referencing upcoming infrastructure investments.
Annexation of Shepard High School
The discussion turned tense when the issue of annexing Shepard High School came up.
Key criticized how the decision was handled, saying aldermen were blindsided by the proposal.
“We found out about this on Friday before a Tuesday meeting,” Key said. “There are a lot of unanswered questions about salaries, pensions, and security that need to be addressed before we move forward.”
Straz, who had been in discussions with the school for over a year, pushed back, arguing the move was primarily about student safety. “Right now, Shepard is patrolled by the Cook County Sheriff’s Department,” he said. “We would have a dedicated officer on-site, fully funded by the school, ensuring better protection for students.”
Development challenges
Economic development—and delays in major projects—was another focal point.
Key expressed frustration over stalled efforts, particularly at the long-awaited opening of Pete’s Fresh Market at 127th and Ridgeland.
“We’ve been told for years that Pete’s is coming, but it keeps getting pushed back,” Key said. He also raised concerns about a lack of transparency in using funds from the Harlem Avenue business district tax.
“We’ve collected over $400,000, and we haven’t had a single goal-setting meeting to determine how we’re going to invest it.”
Straz acknowledged the delays but said progress was happening. “They’ve invested heavily in upgrading the strip mall, and we’re next in line for development,” he said of Pete’s.
Gambling and term limits
Both candidates opposed bringing video gaming to Palos Heights.
“It doesn’t fit our image,” Key said. Straz agreed, adding, “We’ve had referendums, and residents have turned it down. I don’t want Palos Heights to look like Crestwood, where every strip mall has a video poker establishment.”
On term limits, the two candidates took opposing views. Key strongly supported them, saying, “I think there should be term limits at every level of government, including here.”
Straz argued against them, citing the benefits of long-term relationships with officials.
“The ballot box is the ultimate term limit,” he said. “Experience matters. The connections I’ve built over the years have directly helped us secure funding and resources.”
Leadership and communication
Key repeatedly pressed the need for better communication and goal-setting among city officials.
“We have eight different aldermen, and you’ll get eight different answers on important issues,” he said. “We need structured discussions so we’re all moving in the same direction.”
Straz countered that while disagreements happen, the city ultimately makes progress. “We may take longer than some people want, but we get things done,” he said.
Closing Statements
Key closed by urging voters to demand more from city leadership. “Now is not the time to be complacent,” he said. “We need clear goals, better communication, and stronger management to keep Palos Heights moving forward.”
Straz pointed to his long record of leadership and steady financial management. “This is the greatest little town in Illinois,” he said. “I’ve spent decades working to improve it, and I’ll continue doing so.”
As the April 1 election approaches, voters will decide between Straz’s experience and Key’s call for change in Palos Heights.
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