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Endorsements: Werfel and Bartels in Lake County Board races

District 6: Werfel

Voters in Lake County's 6th District are fortunate to have two strong candidates vying to replace longtime Democratic county board member Pat Carey, who is stepping down. Republican Jeff Werfel of Grayslake cruised through the primary election to face Democrat John Wylie, who also lives in Grayslake. For both, economic growth and keeping taxes in check are high priorities, and each would strive to increase county government's efficiency through shared services and public-private partnerships. Werfel, a marketing consultant, is in his third term as a village trustee and has played a key role in keeping Grayslake's finances in good health. Wylie is an attorney with well-developed skills in navigating complex contract issues and interpreting governmental ordinances, and his perspective would be valuable at a county level. But Werfel's experience as a village board member and a state legislative aide, his knowledge of municipal workings, and his proven ability to make things happen in government give him a slight edge for the seat. Werfel gets our endorsement.

District 10: Bartels

The two candidates battling for outgoing Lake County Commissioner Diana O'Kelly's 10th District county board seat cite job creation and controlling spending as key to the county's future. Both Republican Chuck Bartels and Democrat Mike Jennings come across as quite passionate about Lake County as a wonderful place to live and work. And both, we believe, would work hard on the board to keep it that way.

Jennings, a retiring firefighter living near Lake Zurich, raises important questions about the Lake County Courts expansion project going over budget. And Bartels, a Mundelein resident and a retired CEO of Manpower franchises in northeastern Illinois, stresses the benefits of collaboration between governing bodies in the county and the potential for saving money through shared-service agreements.

Ultimately, we find Bartels to be the stronger candidate. He has a deeper grasp of the issues. Plus, his background includes a long and impressive list of civic involvements - from the Lake County Transportation Alliance to the College of Lake County Foundation - that point to a broad range of experience, skills and local accomplishments. Bartels earns our endorsement.

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