Lake County Board Chair Sandy Hart is running for county treasurer against political newcomer David Peñaherrera, with the former pitching her lengthy political resume and the latter his conservative values, but also his opposition to President Donald Trump.
Democrat Holly Kim has been the Lake County treasurer since winning in 2018, part of a broader blue shift for Lake County in the last few decades. Kim unsuccessfully campaigned during the spring primary for Illinois comptroller.
It’s likely an uphill battle for Peñaherrera; Hart’s political career and position on the County Board would give any candidate a solid foothold, and that is especially the case in a county that has seen countywide positions go to Democrats by steadily increasing margins during both midterm and general election seasons.
When Kim first became county clerk, she won with about 52% of the vote. Four years later, that rose to about 55%.
Peñaherrera is a Barrington resident and has lived in Lake County since 2017. A loan officer by trade, he entered politics because of affordability issues, he said — a common topic raised this election cycle both locally and nationally.
He alleges high costs in Lake County are driving residents away, and both the county and state need “more fiscal responsibility,” and someone who “knows how to run the numbers.” He believes his professional background makes him a good candidate for the job.
Peñaherrera railed against the county’s gas tax, stacked on top of the state gas tax and adding to residents’ affordability woes, he said.
According to documents from the Illinois Department of Revenue, the county motor fuel tax rate for Lake County is 4.9 cents per gallon. In neighboring McHenry County, it is 8.7 cents per gallon.
He also criticized other instances he feels show the county isn’t practicing fiscal responsibility, such as a bird-friendly-windows mandate. While the treasurer serves “an administrative role” and does not vote on issues, the position also holds “immense influence,” Peñaherrera argued.
While Peñaherrera is a Republican who believes “in the ideals of family, religion and conservatism,” he also openly denounces President Trump.
“Trump has been the opposite of those things,” Peñaherrera said. “I despise Trump, and I think that because of his atrocious presidency, he will negatively affect the races of all Republicans, even down to the local level.”
Peñaherrera criticizes Hart’s time on the board, accusing her of fostering “an environment of vindictiveness and toxicity” and being irresponsible with taxpayer money.
“If that’s considered experience, I’m happy I don’t have it,” he said.
Hart, first elected to the board in 2012 and later elected to serve as board chair in 2018, points to her years of experience working with the county’s department heads, including the treasurer, as well as her connections to leaders both locally and at the state level.
“I’ve got a strong working relationship with the staff, with other elected officials, inside and outside of the county government,” she said.
She argued she has pushed for increased transparency. During her time as board chair, the county launched the Ethics Commission, began recording meetings, and required those bidding for county work to disclose any campaign funds contributed to people in county government.
“Hopefully people see that I’m not just talking the talk, I’m walking it,” Hart said.
Hart called the move to treasurer a “new experience and new opportunity,” to “serve the residents in a different way,” and said she wanted to ensure there are “strong internal controls” and guardrails inside the office.
Professionally, she holds an MBA from DePaul University and received a certification to be a government investment professional.
Hart agrees that affordability is a major issue, but places the blame on the federal government. Local groups have lost federal funds, and the county has grappled with delayed funding several times in recent years.
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“The thing that we’re seeing the federal government do is making local governments, villages, cities and counties — they’re becoming responsible for things that the federal government used to do,” Hart said.
She pushed back on Peñaherrera’s criticisms; Lake County held the property tax levy flat for four years, she said, and its gas tax is the lowest of any of the collar counties. Hart also argues these decisions are not the responsibility of the treasurer.
“I have a proven track record; I have been accountable to the people of Lake County for 14 years,” Hart said.