John Wylie: Candidate Profile

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Note: Answers provided have not been edited for grammar, misspellings or typos. In some instances, candidate claims that could not be immediately verified have been omitted. Jump to:BioQA Bio City: GrayslakeWebsite: Wylieforlakecountyboard.comOffice sought: Lake County board District 6 Age: 60Family: I have been married to Patsy Welch for 26 years, and together we have a daughter, Ellis Wylie, age 22.Occupation: AttorneyEducation: Bachelor of Arts, 1977, Lawrence University, cum laude Juris Doctor, 1984, UCLA School of LawCivic involvement: I have been active in civic organizations, serving on the Prairie Crossing Charter School Board of Directors, the Legal Advisory Committee of Access Living, as a founder and Treasurer of Lake County Forward, a group of concerned citizens that raised funds to support candidates for the Lake County Board, and as a long term member of the Chicago Bar Association, including the Judicial Evaluation Committee. I am also a member of B.E.S.T., a group dedicated to better the Round Lakes area; Growing Healthy People, a group dedicated to training returning veterans as farmers; Conserve Lake County and the Sierra Club.Elected offices held: This is my first campaign for elective office.Questions Answers Should the county continue to pay for road improvements on state routes that otherwise wouldn't be addressed?The County needs efficient roadways to continue its economic development, and to provide for its residents' well-being. That is the reason the County has funded such projects in the past, for example, the improvements at Route 83 and Rollins Road and at Routes 21 and 137. To the extent necessary to ensure safe and efficient roadways, I support the County's continued funding of improvements to state-owned roads.If you are an incumbent, describe your main contributions. Tell us of any important initiatives you've led. If you are a challenger, what would you bring to the board and what would your priority be?I will bring nearly 30 years of experience as a lawyer dealing with complex issues on a daily basis, and wide-ranging civic involvement. As a lawyer, as a school board member, and in my other roles, I have developed a reputation for honesty and integrity, and the ability to work proactively with all sides to resolve difficult issues. My priorities include promoting efficient and environmentally sensitive economic development in order to create jobs and ease our tax burden, exploring alternative transportation means to relieve traffic congestion, protecting and preserving our open lands, and promoting a sustainable Lake County.Name one concrete program you'll create or personnel move you'll make to improve efficiency in the county government operation or make it more it more successful. Explain how it will be funded and how you'll overcome any obstacles in initiating it.I will promote our local food industry. It can grow from $40 million of economic activity today to $1.5 billion, benefiting the environment, creating well-paying jobs, and producing increased tax revenues. We can accomplish these goals by ensuring regulations allow such uses, providing access to public lands for local food production, recognizing the economic value of our local food industry, and adding it as a focus to our development efforts. Promoting locally grown foods will also 'brand' Lake County as an innovative place to live and work, and help with job creation in other areas of the economy as well.Given the continued decline in interest of golf, should the forest district consider divesting its interests in some or all of its golf holdings?If economically feasible, the Forest Preserve should maintain its golf courses in order to provide a lower cost alternative to the County's many private courses. Although golf revenues have declined 20% since 2005, these figures may improve along with the economy. If after further analysis, however, it becomes apparent that one or more cannot be operated economically, I would support exploring divestment.Do you have any ideas on how you could work with municipalities within your district? What kind of issues do you think it would be worth collaborating on?Shared services and joint purchasing agreements can lead to operational efficiency and cost savings. I support continued cooperative efforts with other governmental entities in providing services and reducing redundancies. Good examples include recent County agreements to provide building inspections for Round Lake Beach, water meters to the Lakes Region Sanitary District, and policing services for Mettawa, as well as joint bids for rock salt purchases and elevator inspections. Other purchasing and service agreements that could produce savings include 911 call centers, vehicle fueling and repair, planning services, and building and zoning inspections, as well as other commodity purchases.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?To date, I have knocked on more than 3,200 doors. The biggest concern of residents is our high taxes. To provide relief, we must promote smart economic development, focusing on our strengths: good transportation, our location, our educated work force, and Lake County's livability. In addition to those areas identified by Lake County Partners, we should focus on green energy and technology jobs, the fastest growing parts of the economy, and locally grown foods. Promoting these areas will create well-paying jobs, environmental gains, and tax relief. This will make Lake County an even better place to live and work.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Pat Carey, our current representative from District 6, has inspired me by her public service, open minded approach to issues, even keel, and diligence.What's the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?My parents taught me honesty, and to take responsibility for my actions. As part of a large family, I learned about fairness and negotiation.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?I don't believe in regrets. If pressed I would say I might have gone to law school after college rather than waiting a few years.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?I most enjoyed constitutional law at UCLA â#128;#147; it taught me the value of the rule of law, and basic fairness.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?I regularly tell my daughter that it is better to take action today rather than putting it off for another time.