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Two Vie for District 1 Lake County Board
COLIN SELBO - cselbo@nwnewsgroup.com
With no incumbent on the ballot, Democrat Peter Grant and Republican Linda Pedersen are both seeking a first term as Lake County Board District 1 representative. Grant and Pedersen are running to replace outgoing board member Judy Martini.
Pedersen said she believes the top concern among county residents is the economy, and she said one of her top priorities will be finding ways to bring additional business to Lake County, instead of seeing business move across the border to Wisconsin.
Pedersen said one way to improve the business climate in the county is by improving the county's infrastructure and moving projects "off the wish list and onto the bid list."
Grant, a resident of Antioch Township for 23 years, said the top concern he hears from voters is rising property taxes.
"It seems like the value of our property is going down, but the assessments keep going up," Grant said. "So, there's a disconnect there."
The board has a responsibility to hold the county assessor responsible, Grant said, even if that means finding someone else to fill the position.
"The county board has a responsibility to use taxes wisely," Grant said. "The best way to fairly represent everyone in the county is to make it a policy to make all aspects [of business] open and fair."
Grant said the board will face decreased revenue in the coming years and needs to quickly address wasteful spending.
"The county is in a recession, if not a depression. We have to start cutting expenses now," he said.
Grant also said he supports increased public transportation in the district including bus service and increased train service to Chicago.
Both candidates agreed that working with legislators in the state capitol is critical.
"Springfield is an embarrassment," Pedersen said. "It's important to have our lobbyists get down there and pound the pavement."
Grant said the district often does not get the attention it deserves from legislators.
"Our district seems to be passed over time and time again for resources," he said. "I'm not going to blame everything on Wisconsin and Springfield. We're going to find solutions."
Pedersen said she has been endorsed by Martini and county board member Suzi Schmidt. She also has an endorsement from Osmond.
Grant said his endorsements include ones from state Sen. Michael Bond and Lake County Sheriff Mark Curran. He has also received endorsements from the Illinois League of Conservation Voters and the Sierra Club. He is an avid sportsman and member of the National Rifle Association.
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