Who We Are

Family Taxpayers Foundation (FTF) is an advocate for an efficient, high quality public education system in Illinois and for responsible, effective use of tax dollars by local and state government.

FTF's goal is to raise public awareness of abuses within the public education system and strive to influence public opinion in favor of solutions that will bring about real reform in public education.

Our focus is on fiscal accountability and transparency in all matters related to the use of tax dollars, specifically the public education pay system, administrative practices, the state school construction program, and Illinois' Teacher pension system .

We advocate the following:

• replacement of the outdated, union-controlled public school system with a system that uses free market principles, including school choice and school vouchers,
• achieving flexible education options that address the needs of the student more satisfactorily;
• fiscal accountability and transparency and greater taxpayer control over school spending and management; and
• preservation of the rights of parents to direct and control the education of their children.

To achieve these goals, FTF engages in the following activities:

• Maintaining our web site, www.familytaxpayers.net, with information regarding education reform issues, including a link to a Teacher & Administrator Salary database for the entire State of Illinois,
• Analysis of school district spending for certified employee personal services, administrative costs, and new building construction projects.
• Providing opinion and analysis from supporters of real school reform and education options.
• Periodic e-newsletter digests to subscribers
• Articles and letters to news outlets regarding education and tax issues.
• Networking with other organizations engaged in education reform as well as local tax watchdog groups.

Jack Roeser: Biographical Information

Jack Roeser is an entrepreneur in business and politics. He is Chairman and founder of Otto Engineering Inc. in Carpentersville, Illinois which manufactures electronic control and communication switches for aerospace, medical and industrial uses. Previously, he started three other successful businesses which are now owned by large corporations.

In 1991, Jack was selected as "High Tech Entrepreneur of the Year" in Illinois. He was also chosen as an Outstanding Alumnus of the University of Illinois in 1996. A Pi Tau Sigma honors graduate of the University of Illinois in Mechanical Engineering, Jack has received over 50 patents in Electrical, Mechanical, Machinery and Marine products.

Jack enlisted in the Army in 1942 and served in the Combat Engineers in the South Pacific. In 1994, he ran for Governor in the Republican primary, receiving 26% of the primary vote. He also served by appointment on Governor Edgar's Education Transition Team and Lamar Alexander's Education 2000 in Illinois.

For the past 25 years, Jack has been an advocate of education reform through the application of free market principles and of school choice. He lives in Barrington Illinois with his wife Jeannine. His sport is sailing; he has won the Chicago to Mackinac race among many others.

After working as an engineer for several other reputable firms, Jack began his own engineering manufacturing company in 1961 with $5,000. He operated the business in Morton Grove for several years before moving it to Carpentersville.

Today, Otto Engineering is housed in a beautifully renovated campus on the east and west banks of the Fox River. Last year, Otto had over 500 employees and annual sales of over $79 million. Otto's success is marked by the high precision and quality of its products.

Contact Us

We invite you to send us your comments, questions, suggestions and any pertinent information.

General comments, including any questions and suggestions can be sent to mail@familytaxpayers.org.

Letter to the Editor can be sent to letters@familytaxpayers.org. If you would like your comments and feedback considered for publication, include your name, address and daytime phone number. All letters are subject to editing, mostly for clarification and length. Please choose your words carefully; libelous or slanderous statements will not be published.

Information Tips can be sent to info@familytaxpayers.org. Please include as much relevant information as possible about your school and local school board. Your tips will be used for the sole purpose of investigating or obtaining information. If requested, your confidentiality will be honored.