The Tribune asked candidates in contested races for Lake County Board five questions about issues facing county government. Here are the responses from Lake County Board candidates in contested races in districts 1, 3, 5, 16 and 19.
What is the biggest issue facing Lake County residents, and how would you address it as a County Board member?
Mary Ross Cunningham (Democrat): Within my Lake County Board District 9, the major concerns I hear are job creation and affordable housing. As a Lake County Board Commissioner and past Vice Chair of the Health & Community Services Committee, I have continuously approved and supported funding to Lake County Partners, which serves as a county agency to help bring new business opportunities and provide job training to county residents.
I will also continue to support the various agencies such as: Affordable Housing and Lake Community Action Project because these agencies provide dollars, which will directly assist new and existing homeowners with down payments if they are purchasing a new home or provide funding for needed repairs on existing homes for Lake County residents.
Joe Schmitt (Republican): The answers to questions 1 and 2 are tied together. The biggest issue facing Lake County Residents is the congestion of our roadways. The first thing to address is the Route 53 extension as well as development of a cross county limited access freeway utilizing Illinois Route 120.
Lake County and the Chicago Metropolitan Planning Agency are to conduct a land-use study for a proposed extension of Highway 53. Do you support the extension? What issues should the study take into consideration?
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Mary Ross Cunningham (Democrat): Yes I do. What issues should the study take into consideration? How would this extension help the business community in Lake County. This extension will make it more accessible to travel to Northern Lake County, which should help our business community provide their goods and services to a much more bigger customer base, which should increase the job opportunity throughout our county.
Joe Schmitt (Republican): Yes, I support the extension as well as development of a cross county limited access freeway utilizing Illinois Route 120. The principle thing I would address is the cost of procuring the needed property and what the potential costs would be if we delay this project any further. The county has been progressive in their acquisition of open space land, which I support. But, it is time to invest in acquiring property and land that will make the construction of this project feasible now.
Motorola Mobility’s announcement this summer it would leave Lake County for Chicago and lay off employees in the process came as a surprise to many people in the county, including elected officials. As a County Board member, what would you propose county do to retain employers like Motorola Mobility and also attract new jobs?
Mary Ross Cunningham (Democrat): Upon hearing this news, myself and other commissioners approved the hiring of a new position called Economic Director. This persons primary responsibility will be to work directly with Lake County Partners, State Of Illinois CED agency and to form a better working relationship with our state leaders to assure that Lake County can minimize the effect of this business decision and to always be promoting Lake County as a business friendly community to operate your business.
Joe Schmitt (Republican): I am a firm believer in tax incentives to keep and attract businesses in our county. We must create a business friendly atmosphere. Streamlining the permit process is one way we could assist businesses. Another is to relieve the congestion on the highways so that workers and products are able to traverse the county easily.
The Lake County Assessor’s Office has indicated that even though property assessment valuations are generally lower this year, property taxes aren’t likely to decline for residents. As a County Board member, how would you respond to residents frustrated that they aren’t seeing property tax relief even in difficult economic times?
Mary Ross Cunningham (Democrat): I empathize with their frustration, unfortunately, this issued is not going to change any time soon due to the uncertainty that currently exists in Springfield regarding how to fund education, pension reform and State debt reduction. As the commissioner, I will take our county residents frustration and I will inform our State Rep. and State Senator that my constituents will like to see this issue resolve soon. At the same time, I will work with the others commissioners to keep our county expenses in line with inflation.
Joe Schmitt (Republican): There is no easy answer … as leaders of the community we are frustrated that we cannot provide this tax relief to our constituents. I do point out that we are one of the few if not the only county with a balanced budget. Additionally we are still able to provide needed services at levels that have not negatively affected the residents.
The Lake County Board recently approved a “planned unit development” concept for a shopping center in Ela Township on a property owned by the Dimucci family. Even with tighter controls on the site, neighbors still objected to the potential size and scope of the project. Did the board make the right decision, and if a developer makes a specific proposal for the site, what should be considered in the county’s review?
Mary Ross Cunningham (Democrat): ? Yes we made correct decision base economic reasons; more of a tax base, which helps us keep our expense low, increase funding for our schools in that area and hopefully this type of project can find its way North East of Lake County. We must weigh the economic impact before we can make any decision on the various proposal.
Joe Schmitt (Republican): I feel the board made the correct choice. Development of the western portion of the county is in full bloom. Development of shopping centers will ease the congestion of traffic moving toward Gurnee Mills and keep much need tax revenues from going to Woodfield Mall and places in Cook County. The main consideration is the traffic flow affecting the area.