Will County operates under the County Executive form of government, whereby the County Executive is elected at large and is responsible for the day-to-day administration, and the County Board is the legislative body responsible for establishing policy. It represents unincorporated areas of Will County.As the policy-making body of county government, the Will County Board does touch the lives of residents in important ways. The budgets we establish distribute your hard-earned tax dollars to fund county agencies providing roads, community health programs, courts, police protection, jails, workforce training, victim-witness programs, and veterans assistance, to name a few. We set the budgets for all county agencies and play a key role in transportation issues (including road building and airports), most notably the airport proposed for eastern Will County. We prepare for commercial and residential development by planning for transportation, land use, and zoning while maintaining modern building codes for the protection of the public. [source: https://www.willcountyboard.com/about-the-board.html]
Campaign Phone
2174745565
I was raised in a middle-class family with three older sisters. When I was two, my parents became foster parents, welcoming eighteen teenage foster siblings over the years. I earned a bachelor’s degree in education and a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction, with an ESL endorsement, and spent 12 years as a proud union teacher in Illinois. Married for 30 years, I am the mother of three children. After returning to Illinois in 2010 and settling in Will County in 2011, I volunteered extensively while caring for my daughter after major surgery. Motivated by healthcare issues, I ran for State Representative in 2018 and was elected to the Will County Board in 2020, where I proudly continue to serve.
As the only woman in this race, as a former teacher, long-time advocate, mother, and the candidate with the most experience, I am the best choice for the position. I take my elected role seriously and have an outstanding attendance record for all meetings—even for committee meetings to which I am not assigned, because I believe in the value of information and participation.
County-wide, my priority projects for my next term include: (1) Maintaining and expanding essential services, including programs like Access Will County, which improves transportation access for our most vulnerable residents. (2) Continuing water aquifer studies to help communities prepare for and respond to looming water shortages. (3) Driving job growth through partnerships with the Center for Economic Development and other stakeholders. (4) Supporting the reopening of the old Silvercross hospital as a comprehensive service hub for veterans, offering employment assistance, housing resources, counseling, and fitness facilities.
My #1 priority is ensuring the residents of my district have a strong voice on the County Board. Too often, Plainfield can feel disconnected from the services available throughout Will County. I want to change that by building stronger partnerships and ensuring that Plainfield residents benefit from county programs. My other priorities include (1) Advocate for more affordable housing to address the housing crisis and support sustainable growth in Will County. (2) Expand access to Will County Health Department behavioral health/substance use services where they’re most needed. (3) Increase Plainfield’s tourism with partnerships like Heritage Corridor, especially with events like the Rt. 66 100th anniversary coming up next year.
While federal enforcement actions are outside local control, local leaders have a responsibility to protect the safety, rights, and dignity of everyone who lives here. I support policies that uphold due process, require proper warrants, protect personal data, limit the use of local resources for federal enforcement, and expand access to legal aid and “know your rights” information. Above all, I believe leadership means being a good neighbor—standing up for fairness and basic humanity so people feel safe accessing services, reporting crimes, and fully participating in community life.
I'm running to help maintain and strengthen Democratic leadership on the Will County Board. Local government plays a critical role in shaping our daily lives, and we need to ensure that decisions are made with transparency, accountability, and in the best interest of our communities. Preserving Democratic control is essential to protecting the integrity of our local values—whether that’s investing in public infrastructure, protecting our environment, or ensuring access to essential services. As the most experienced county board member in this district, I bring a deep understanding of how our local government works and a proven track record of getting things done for the people of Will County. Finally, the people of Plainfield deserve a democratic voice, so don’t forget to VOTE Tuesday, November 3!
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
