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, 9, 16 and 19.
What is the biggest issue facing Lake County residents, and how would you address it as a County Board member?
Patricia Ferruzza (Democrat): In what undoubtedly will be a challenging term, I want to make sure that the hardworking families in my district are represented in the inevitable talks about austerity, and to see that those that have the least don’t pay the price in the effort to do more with less at the County level. I would encourage residents to become more informed about the County budget, and to attend Board meetings if possible. I would also encourage the use of zero-based budgeting to make sure that we are making the proper programs the highest priority, and funding those programs adequately.
Bonnie Thompson Carter (Republican): Even though County government is about 10 percent of the typical tax bill we must continue to work toward operating County government with less money. We are constantly evaluating our programs to ensure that we are operating in the most efficient manner and that the programs are effective. I have worked hard to reduce spending and cut taxes. We must keep our AAA bond rating.
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?
Patricia Ferruzza (Democrat): I am in favor of the extension, with the caveat that there be minimal impact on environmentally sensitive areas. I would also encourage that shoulders and medians on the extension be constructed to be as permeable as possible, to minimize runoff and protect water quality. Also, with the growth of the northwestern part of Lake County, it would be beneficial to get air quality monitoring stations installed to know the precise effects that the extension has on the air that we breathe. And care must be taken not to set the toll so high on the extension that traffic is pushed off onto surface streets, defeating the purpose of congestion relief.
Bonnie Thompson Carter (Republican): I support the extension of Route 53 along with the Route 120 Bypass. The Blue Ribbon committee set a framework of considerations that balance the needs of travelers and the environment. A very good start.
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?
Patricia Ferruzza (Democrat): There are no simple answers to this question. If you start down the road of giving tax incentives to keep or attract business, you risk being outbid by other counties or municipalities, and you forgo badly needed revenue. We need to do an even better job of getting the word out about the benefits of locating in Lake County — access to post-secondary training and education the University Center, public/private cooperation through Lake County Partners, access to transportation and the natural beauty of our Forest Preserve system and other open spaces.
Bonnie Thompson Carter (Republican): The County is a member of Lake County Partners. Their accomplishments are exceptional in retaining business and helping existing businesses expand.
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?
Patricia Ferruzza (Democrat): The first place to start is to have them get their paperwork together and go to their township office to protest their assessments. The longer-term answer is to seek every way possible to reduce costs at all levels of government and pass those savings along to the taxpayer. We have so many taxing bodies that there is ample possibility to find and eliminate duplication of services.
Bonnie Thompson Carter (Republican): I talk with residents all the time about this serious and frustrating issue. I provide them with the tools to help them appeal their assessments and encourage them to attend meetings of the other taxing districts who impact their tax bill. For example, I remind them to attend their local school board meeting and budget hearings as they account for 68 percent — 73 percent of the typical tax bill.
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?
More Top Picks Overlap
Patricia Ferruzza (Democrat): I understand that the property owners want to get the best use of out of their land, and are certainly within their rights to seek a zoning change. But when the land is surrounded by established residential neighborhoods, the needs of the residents must be given much greater weight than I feel it was in this instance. Much time was spent with the property owners and County staff behind closed doors, and then municipalities were brought into those meetings before the residents had the opportunity to air their concerns—they were allowed to present their views only after those negotiations had taken place. If a developer is found for this property and a concrete plan is put forward, I would advocate that the minimal additional height and landscaping requirements that the Zoning Board of Appeals approved after listening to the residents be made a part of the plan, and that traffic be routed away from the surrounding neighborhoods.
Bonnie Thompson Carter (Republican): Yes, the County Board made the right decision. After 35+ hours of public testimony, the approval of the project included: the reduction of square footage from 1.4M square feet under a straight rezoning to 650,000; half the property preserved in permanent open space; 80 pages of conditions and a laundry list of prohibited uses; slower release rates protecting runoff; and land set aside for the Sheriff’s office and Fire Protection District if requested. The rezoning does not take effect until a developer has met all 80 pages of conditions. This development will provide short and long term employment for Lake County residents. It will also provide tax relief to the other taxing districts, in particular, the local school system will realize over $800,000 annually from property taxes.