The Crooks Family Today
Jim Crooks is a lifelong resident of Independence and is a very active member in organizations who principles remain close to his heart. He is married to Jessica, who has been a teacher in the Independence School District for seven years, and is the father of Sam and David. As a family, they are in the process of restoring their 1857 farm home, located at the corner of Sprague and Brookside Roads. Passer-bys are likely to see the Crooks Family together tending to their flower beds, playing ball or, thanks to Jess, being active in one way or another.

Early On...
As a boy, Jim Crooks became fascinated with his community's heritage. Through his time at all three Independence Public Schools, Jim Crooks pursued his passion for history and athletics. With each passing year in school, Crooks knew he would one day give back to the community in which he had lived. He graduated from Independence High School with honors and earned a full scholarship to The University of Toledo for baseball.

As a student-athlete at The University of Toledo, Crooks became vice-president of the student government association for athletes and earned four varsity letters as a pitcher for the Rockets. He was twice named an Academic All-American, and graduated Magna Cum Laude with a degree in Political Science.

From there, Crooks pursued a Master of Arts degree from The University of Akron, and graduated "with distinction." He also earned a certificate in Applied Politics. These milestones, along with his time as president of the university's College Republicans, all aimed Crooks in the direction of public service.

In 2005, Crooks jumped on the chance.

First Term
At age 27, Crooks finished in third place in a field of 12 candidates, and was elected to his first term on City Council. As Chairman of the Public Buildings and Lands Committee, he prided himself on creating a public buildings inventory and initiating a public buildings tour. From the beginning, Crooks has been committed to putting the community first. Taking unpopular, but principled, stands on issues has become Crooks' hallmark as a public servant. He also led the effort to bring prayer back to the public forum in Independence.

Second Term
In 2007, Crooks was re-elected to his 2nd term on City Council, and assumed his new role as Chairman of the important Finance Committee. In that capacity, Crooks has guided the efforts to create the City's first ever 5-Year Planned Capital Plan, establish a budget calendar for the budget planning process and keep the City on track of passing next year's budget prior to the end of the current year. All of these proactive measures have been taken so that the tough economic times won't have the drastic impact on Independence as it has on other nearby communities.

Crooks has also led the effort for the City to strategically plan. The City's first ever Mission and Vision Statement have been crafted in Crooks' tenure on Council, and a Strategic Planning Committee of Council has been created. The City is also establishing its overall Strategic Planning process.

Professional Career and Involvement
He has owned a business since 2006 and also serves as an adjunct professor of political science at The University of Akron. Crooks is also a Trustee of the Independence Historical Society and Chairman of the Independence Republican Club.