McLean County Board (District 5; 2-year unexpired) McLean County is divided into 10 districts, with two Board members elected from each district. The County Board establishes tax rates; administers the activities of county departments and offices; adopts an annual budget; reviews zoning, planning and land use; and enacts ordinances. The board elects a chair from its membership who serves as the head of the county government.Sources:McLean County Board codeMcLean County Recommended Annual Budget 2023Factsheet on the County Boards, Illinois Association of County Board Members and CommissionersMcLean County Board District Map Junta del Condado de McLean (Distrito 5)El Condado McLean está dividido en 10 distritos, con dos miembros elegidos de cada distrito. La Junta del Condado establece las tasas impositivas; administra las actividades de los departamentos y oficinas del condado; adopta un presupuesto anual; revisa la zonificación, la planificación y el uso de la tierra; y promulga ordenanzas. La Junta elige un presidente entre sus miembros que sirve como jefe del gobierno del condado.Fuentes:Código de la Junta del Condado de McLeanPresupuesto anual recomendado del condado de McLean para 2023Hoja informativa sobre las Juntas del Condado, Asociación de Miembros y Comisionados de la Junta del Condado de IllinoisMapa del Distrito de McLean County Board
Living in McLean County for 30 years has given me an understanding of issues facing our community, lack of housing for young families, better access to mental health, and continuing to ensure local labor is used. I hope with my election to the McLean County Board in 2024 that I can bring a fresh take on issues facing the county and provide solutions that benefit all constituents and continue the prosperity of the county.
Gun violence is an issue facing all communities in our nation. My hope is to facilitate conversations between community organizations such as Moms Demand Action and Project Oz for example, and law enforcement to collaboratively work together to reach common sense gun safety tips and educational outreach. I feel by educating the public on proper gun safety efforts as well as support law enforcement in their efforts to remove illegal firearms from our streets will help reduce gun violence in our community.
I would work to ensure that the bipartisanship of the current board remains in place. If you look at the voting record of most issues brought before the county board, often the board agrees unanimously with the decisions. Very few times partisanship has arisen, but when it does, I would do my best to work collaboratively with all my colleagues on the board to work on a resolution that will benefit all residents of McLean County, not just for one group of people. I think one thing you must remember as a political official is you must put your personal feelings aside and look at the whole issue critically. We can’t always think of the now and must think about the future as well.
Use of tax-payers money: I would propose a comprehensive 3–5-year budget plan, for if we plan for what is coming, we can better allocate funds to projects and organizations that need them.
Affordable housing: I would add more tax incentive plans to landlords to offer affordable rent.
Gun Violence: We need to provide better access to health care services to ensure those that need mental health support have access to it..
Economic opportunity: McLean County is prospering. Each new opportunity the board works on bringing into the county benefits everyone. I will work to make sure our local unions are considered and used for all projects within McLean County.
I was appointed to the district 5 board seat that was opened with the resignation of Coach John McIntyre. It has been a great start beginning for genuine dedication to serving the public. I have quickly become familiar with board legal procedures and becoming familiar with the county government leadership. I am serving on the Transportation and the Health committees. A key vote that I have been involved with has been to vote against the 2024 county budget that included an 11% increase in real estate tax levy.
My work background has been working in various leadership roles in the transportation industry. My skillset has been identifying problems, analyzing information and developing solutions. I collaborate with a team to get the job done
Gun violence is a complex issue. I think we need to educate the public and actively engage with the county through outreach programs on the warning signs of gun violence. We need to provide higher security where it is needed and strong prosecution for those breaking the law. I have a gun. I taught my children gun safety and respect towards using it. I think children would benefit from programs that teach alternatives to violence and promote conflict resolution. I think we need a balance of responsible gun ownership rights and the need for public safety.
I have spent my lifetime involved in teamwork and I would like to think that will continue. We need to have good communication in order to have teamwork. Open communication of information and the reason behind decisions will help understanding different points of view. I am proud to say the board has been drawn from equal representations of different communities and viewpoints. In my time with the board, I have found common interests with board members that have an equal interest in serving the public. I plan on having regular feedback to and from my constituents regarding County Board decisions.
1) Economic Opportunity – We need to have policies for economic opportunity to create a base for individual and businesses to succeed. We need policies support small business creation and growth. We need ways to provide easy access to capital for loans and investments. If we have a growing economy, it will elevate everyone to have more choices.
2) Access to affordable housing – we need to ensure access to affordable housing to reduce living costs to low- and middle-income families.
3) Use of Taxpayer monies – We need to be good stewards of public money. The county budget is a process of reviewing current needs, staffing and planned capital expenditures.
Curbing Gun violence - I responded to this question previously,
