Two Republicans running for Will County Board in the 2nd District say they hope voters will flip control on the board, where the Democrats have a slight edge.
Incumbent Republicans Frankie Pretzel and Judy Ogalla face Democrat Bob Howard in the Nov. 8 general election for two seats in the district, which includes all or portions of New Lenox, Frankfort, Manhattan, Beecher, Elwood and Peotone.
Ogalla, the minority whip, has a chance to become speaker or minority leader depending on the results countywide if Republicans carry enough districts.
Pretzel and Ogalla said they believe it is important to retain Republican leadership on the board, noting the retirements of 30-year board member Jim Moustis of Frankfort, 20-year member Don Gould of Shorewood and 18-year member Tom Weigel of New Lenox.
Howard, a former County Board member and Washington Township supervisor, said he believes politics has become too partisan. He said he has worked with county and state officials on a bipartisan basis and believes board members should debate policy. He said he is reentering politics after a successful bone marrow transplant to continue serving the public.
Top concerns
Pretzel said he is concerned with high property taxes and does not want to increase the tax levy. He said the board has a problem with a tax-and-spend mentality.
“As people pack up and move to other states, I find we are not listening to voters,” Pretzel said. “They feel like they are taxed out of their homes. I truly believe I was elected to be the voice of opposition to any new taxes.”
Ogalla said she is concerned with property taxes and maxing out the tax levy, saying the county needs to “get rid of the fat in the budget.”
“During these times of inflation, we should not be taxing to the max,” Ogalla said. “We need to tighten our belts because taxpayers are tightening their belts.”
Ogalla said she is also an advocate for individuals’ property rights and would be interested in seeing some restrictions lifted while still ensuring safety.
Howard said he has worked with the Regional Transportation Authority on a grant that expanded transportation services to senior citizens, individuals with disabilities and low-income residents in eastern Will County. He said he would like to continue expanding the Will Ride program so seniors and other residents in rural areas can get to the doctor or run errands easier.
Howard said he implemented several new initiatives in Washington Township for senior citizens, including educational programs and social breakfasts.
He said he would wants to put an emphasis on better, more reliable internet access in rural communities. Since board members also sit on the Forest Preserve District of Will County Board, Howard said he would also like to see more dog parks, walking trails or multiuse trails for horses or bikes developed.
Gas tax
Pretzel supports repealing the 4-cent per gallon gas tax that became effective Feb. 1, 2020, and said road construction projects could be funded through the existing budget or other revenue streams such as taxes generated from new construction or revenue expected when the renewable natural gas plant is completed later this year.
The gas tax brought in about $15.9 million in 2021 and helps support the county’s 2022-2027 transportation improvement program, according to the county.
The renewable natural gas plant is projected to bring in about $14.5 million next year with the Fiscal 2023 budget proposing that revenue go for operations and debt service. The county’s budget office projects about two to three years of operations and debt service before the county can use the revenue for other items, and projects it could eventually bring in between $14 and $20 million in revenue.
Ogalla said repealing or freezing the 4-cent gas tax should also be considered because the people most affected include young families or low-income residents with fewer expendable dollars. While gas prices have decreased since the summertime highs, they can always fluctuate, she said.
Howard said he is concerned with semi-truck traffic traveling down rural or residential roads and wants to work with municipal, county, state and federal lawmakers to improve and widen roads, noting there have been several severe vehicle accidents in his area. He said the gas tax has helped improve infrastructure.
“For those people who use the roads, they share the expense of repairing the roads,” he said. “We are overstressing our roads. If we make an investment in the roads, they will be more efficient.”
Mental health referendum
Pretzel said he opposes a referendum on November’s ballot to create a tax for a mental health board.
The board voted along party lines earlier this year to ask residents whether to levy a tax of 0.05% of a property’s equalized assessed value to fund services for mental health, developmental disabilities and substance abuse disorders. This would amount to about $50 a year for a home worth $300,000, county officials said.
Pretzel said he is in favor of providing mental health services through the existing budget and the existing health department.
Ogalla said she is concerned about the proposed mental health tax, saying residents don’t need an additional tax for mental health services the health department provides.
Cannabis tax
Pretzel said he was glad to see a portion of the cannabis tax allocated to the Will County Children’s Advocacy Center, which handles reports of sexual abuse, severe physical abuse, sexual exploitation, child pornography and exposure to violence in children. He said he’d like to see more of the cannabis revenue allocated to the sheriff’s office for more officers and resources.
Ogalla said she would be interested in a portion of the cannabis tax allocated to help individuals expunge cannabis possession from their records so they can get a job easier. She is also for exploring programs to help children and teenagers learn new skills.
Howard said he would like to use the cannabis tax revenue to fund the county’s “most urgent needs,” whether it’s improving roads or improving public safety by adding officers.
Pandemic relief
Pretzel said he would also like to see some of the county’s nearly $134 million pandemic relief funding go toward improving water and sewer treatment facilities and infrastructure in the county’s municipalities and townships.
Ogalla said she has liked the process the county board has been using to allocate the federal pandemic relief funds through the American Rescue Plan Act. She said she would like to see more funds available to farmers who suffered economic hardships during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Howard said the federal pandemic funds should go toward construction projects, such as police stations or fire houses, that would help reduce the burden on the taxpayers.
Judy Ogalla
Party: Republican
Age: 61
Hometown: Monee
Education: Bachelor’s degree from Governors State University
Occupation: County Board member, retired information technology professional
Experience: County Board member since 2012, minority whip since 2018
Frankie Pretzel
Party: Republican
Age: 43
Hometown: New Lenox
Education: Bachelor’s degree from University of Illinois Chicago
Occupation: Franchise partner with Crumbl Cookies
Experience: Experience: County Board member since 2020, chairman of the New Lenox Republican Organization
Bob Howard
Party: Democrat
Age: 61
Hometown: Beecher
Education: Graduate of Beecher High School; some college
Occupation: Carpenter, farmer
Experience: Washington Township supervisor 2005-2013; County Board member 2010-2016