Family Taxpayers Foundation

About Us

The Family Taxpayers Foundation (FTF) was established by entrepreneur and businessman Jack Roeser (see below to read more about him).

Our view is that we will never see the kind of changes in our public schools that will lead to increased student achievement until taxpayers, parents, disaffected teachers, administrators, and local school board members begin to champion the cause for meaningful education reform in Illinois.

According to Article X of the Illinois Constitution, "The State shall provide for an efficient system of high quality public educational institutions and services."

This mandate is not being fulfilled. FTF provides important information to Illinois citizens and decision makers about what needs to change. FTF works with citizens and allied organizations at the local school district level to act as a counter-veiling force to ineffective and uninformed school boards, administrators, and teachers unions.

The Family Taxpayers Foundation helps raise public awareness of abuses within the education system by providing a great resource for opinion and analysis from supporters of real school reform and school choice.

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.