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McHenry County sheriff candidates want to curb costs

Republican Bill Prim, 55, of Cary, retired as a Des Plaines police commander after a 27-year career. He now works as a court security officer in Lake County.

Independent James T. "Jim" Harrison, 56, of Johnsburg, served eight years as a McHenry County Sheriff's deputy and has run a law firm in Woodstock since 1991. His clients have included the county and the sheriff's office.

Both candidates said they want to look at curbing costs within the office.

There are too many high-level administrative positions that don't affect public safety, Prim said. One has become vacant and will remain so under his authority, he said. Asset forfeiture - or confiscation of criminal assets - will also be at the top of his list, he added.

Harrison said he wants to look at the possibility of housing juveniles in the county jail as its contract to house federal detainees is expiring. He will also eliminate the undersheriff's position, which pays more than $150,000, he said.

Harrison said his top priorities are fighting the spread of drugs, especially heroin, and domestic violence against women and children.

Prim agreed that heroin should be a top priority, and pointed out he was named McHenry County's representative on the Illinois State Crime Commission's heroin task force.

There is "desperately low morale" within the department, Prim said, which he plans to address with improved communication and a fair management style.

The sheriff's department needs to reconnect with the community, Harrison said, which can happen by changing its "culture of isolationism."

Harrison called into question Prim's judgment, pointing to Prim's former campaign chairman Matt McNamara, who has a misdemeanor assault conviction following a bar fight in 2001 in Iowa.

"My concern was that because of his (McNamara's) central role in his (Prim's) campaign, he would continue that as well in his administration in the sheriff's office," Harrison said.

McNamara, who could not be reached for comment, resigned as chairman in April 2013, according to information on the state board of elections website. Prim's election committee, however, is still headquartered at McNamara's house in Huntley.

Prim said he wasn't aware of the details regarding McNamara's arrest.

"Apparently unable to attack me, or say anything positive, (Harrison) has reduced his campaign to personal attacks on a volunteer," Prim said.

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