Tom Kataras

Homewood Village Trustee

As a prior, and now Village Trustee, and longtime owner of Tom’s Family Restaurant in “ Beautiful Downtown Homewood “ I will bring a common-sense approach to village management. My skills in financial planning, management, labor relations, and budgeting will assist the Village Board in developing future budgets and economic development projects that are fiscally responsible and responsive to the needs of the community.

I have been an active member of the Homewood business community for over 33 years. The Kataras family has owned and operated our restaurant for 60 years so I know how important small business owners are to the vitality and success of  Homewood. I believe that the small business owners needs and contributions to the community are being ignored and de-valued by current village board policies. With all the tax incentives being given on the Halsted corridor the playing field is no longer level but favors corporate America at the expense of hometown values. We in Homewood have for years professed the importance of maintaining a viable and successful downtown but the current policies say otherwise. Where was the help for  Cameo House Women’s Apparel,  Marlin Camera, or Mitchell’s Candies all long time successful downtown business. Meanwhile out on Halsted the incentives are being renewed.  I pledge to help rebuild the relationships and develop new plans of development that will allow our small businesses to thrive.

            When I was first a Homewood Village Trustee ( 1985-1988) we were faced with many of the same problems that face our board today. When a utility tax was suggested, a thorough analysis of the budget with careful and thoughtful cost cuts was implemented to prevent a utility tax. Where is that careful analysis now? It is time that the Senior Citizens of our great community are unburdened of this regressive tax. With the increased utility costs it has created more revenue then the village in its wildest dreams could ever envisioned. It has been talked about over and over now is the time to grant relief to our seniors.

            In addition to running the family restaurant and Thomas’ on Ridge Catering I have devoted much of the last 20 years to local public service:

Homewood Village Trustee  (1985-1988)

Homewood Plan Commission ( 1982-1985)

Board Member and Past President of the
Homewood Chamber of Commerce ( 1975-2006)

            I  have a bachelor degree in business / finance from Western Illinois University. My wife, Colletta and I have raised three sons, H-F graduates; T.J. , Jason, and Peter. We attend Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, where I am church secretary.