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, 5, 9, 16 and 19.
What is the biggest issue facing Lake County residents, and how would you address it as a County Board member?
Dale Kehr (Democrat): I think the biggest issue facing Lake County Residents is the costs of living. We have the highest property taxes in Illinois and (among) the highest in the Country. Still our taxing bodies, townships and park districts continue to ask for virtually unlimited increases each year as they try to balance budgets. Yet we have school districts who can only ask for an increase equal to the Consumer Price Index who are facing financial trouble with dwindling resources coming in from the state level. Resulting in cutting much needed programs for our kids i.e. computers, music, and gym.
I’m very concerned currently with the inequalities in the current property tax system. As a County Board Member I would fight to keep a balance in the way property taxes are allocated and prioritized. Too many cuts to our schools will adversely affect the appeal of Lake County to new residents and businesses perpetuating our problems. A common sense example is the Million dollar bike path in my district currently under construction paid for by a Referendum increasing our property taxes … yet our Schools in District 41 are facing a 2 million dollar deficit. I don’t feel our tax dollars are being fairly distributed.
Tom Weber (Republican): Taxes and Jobs. I am a small business owner. I will do everything I can to ensure that the county does not damage the business environment in Lake County. Many business owners believe the County Board does not fully understand the impact their actions have on the business environment and how that costs jobs. My experience as a small business owner is a life-experience that is crucial to good government at the county level and I will be a watchdog to promote a business friendly environment.
We need to perform a detailed analysis of the services being provided by the county and determine if these services can be better provided by the private sector at a cheaper cost. I do not think the county should be in the entertainment or restaurant business. Why is Lake County in the golf course and marina business using taxpayer funds? I am opposed to the county building more recreational facilities that cost taxpayers money. The property taxes paid by private business owners would dramatically exceed any marginal profit the county claims they are making with these facilities.
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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Dale Kehr (Democrat): I do support the extension of Highway 53 as do a majority of the residents. My main concern is to do this in the most environmentally friendly way we can, preserving the open spaces and community areas Lake County residents have come to expect and love. Additionally I believe we should study further the toll aspect of the extension in the following regard. When you require someone to pay a toll it will often deter travelers into selecting other routes that cost the driver nothing. This could impact residential areas and create traffic congestion and patterns that did not exist prior to the extension of 53.
Tom Weber (Republican): I favor the Route 53 extension. I do not like how this major thruway comes to an abrupt end and simply dump thousands of cars on to a road system that is incapable of handling the traffic. This would create thousands of jobs and give businesses easy and faster access to the western suburbs. The residents of District 3 overwhelming support this project. This is an excellent way to allow the residents and businesses to expand and move easily.
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?
Dale Kehr (Democrat): Companies relocate for various reasons; Location, Tax incentives and Quality of Life issues. The County Board has influence over all of these items. Location: Lake County is strategically place between two major Markets Milwaukee and Chicago, with two international airports less than an hour away. Traffic in Lake County especially on the 294 toll has been greatly reduced in recent years making travel a plus for Businesses. Quality of Life: Lake County has plenty to offer, recreational areas, shopping, theater, safety, good schools, great park district programs, and excellent forest preserves. These are all amenities that we need to shine a light on to existing and potential business executives like those from Motorola. Lake County is where people want to live and work.
Tax incentives: We need businesses to offset some of our resident’s property taxes. But businesses need low taxes to operate effectively. This is a balancing act we need to control. I am not a fan of tax increment financing programs as solutions. I am in favor of long term leases/commitments in return for reductions in a business’s property tax bills. But forgoing all property taxes for businesses for extended periods of time is not a sustainable solution.
In short we are the right place for any business. Lake County is easily accessible, easily manageable, and an attractive place for a talented work force to relocate to. Where we stumble is taxes and we need to work with companies to find compromises benefiting the company and the residents/work force.
We need to remind businesses like Motorola, that the will need to attract top talent in order to stay competitive in the marketplace. We as board members need to make sure that Lake County is where the top talent wants to live AND work.
Tom Weber (Republican): The Democrats in Springfield have caused many businesses to flee Illinois and it is critical that we maintain a business-friendly environment here in Lake County. I was born and raised here and my family has a long history of being involved within our community. I have also personally been very active in many civic, community and religious organizations and it is my broad community and business background that is unique. I have the experience to be a positive influence on issues that come before the County Board and ensure that we improve the business environment in Lake County. Taxes here in Lake County are high. We need to perform a detailed analysis of the services being provided by the county and determine if these services can be better provided by the private sector at a cheaper cost.
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?
Dale Kehr (Democrat): I would let them know that they could appeal their property tax however, when you do this someone else in the community picks up this cost. Even though you may lower your tax this year it is a very time consuming process. I would encourage them to use that time to attend and be involved in how the county board is spending the budget. We need to be looking at the way our funds are managed and truly start to reduce costs and waste in our property tax system. If there are surpluses in one department we need to reallocate those surpluses to another department based on need and merit.
Tom Weber (Republican): We need to set the example for our local Governing bodies. We need to get back to the core responsibilities of Government. I believe as the economy contracts so should Government. This is new territory that needs new leaders who understand that we need to do whatever we can to ease the burdens on taxpayers. We need to do it while still performing key services. Government has been growing larger at every level, for decades, and unless we get a handle on the cost of operations it will continue to get more expensive here. Right now we need to bring in business and help local communities generate sales revenue to offset the burdens placed on our 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?
Dale Kehr (Democrat): The project is not wanted by the residents and not needed at this time with shopping in Deer Park less than 5 minutes away. As I understand it the board has approved the property to be rezoned only. The Project has not been green lighted to break ground. I would not support this as a board member at this time.
Tom Weber (Republican): The board made the right decision. The owners of the property did what was required and worked to appease much of the issues regarding size etc. The decision for the zoning change was well deserved. Once a proposal is made we can judge further but should work to make the right decision. This project could employ thousands of people during the construction and thousands of full and part-time jobs upon completion.