Michael Rummel: 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: Lake ForestWebsite: mikerummel.comTwitter: Candidate did not respond.Facebook: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Lake County Board District 12 Age: 65Family: Wife Melanie Rummel, two children Jared Rummel and Jessica BuschOccupation: Insurance BrokerEducation: BA Northwestern UniversityCivic involvement: Alderman 4 years, Lake Forest, Mayor 4 years Lake Forest, County board member 4 years District 12, head of the finance committee for both the Forest Preserve and the County Board, former President Northwestern Club of Chicago, School board St. Mary's School, Executive VP north East Illinois Council of the Boy Scouts, VP Ragdale , a not for profit, Member Lake County Partners, Treasurer, Lake County Preservation Foundation.Elected offices held: Treasurer, chief financial officer and head of the finance committee forest preserve, head of finance committee Lake County Board, VP Boy Scouts NEIC chapter, VP, Radgale.Questions Answers Why are you running for this office? If you are running for re-election, is there an important project you want to implement? If you are a challenger, is there a particular issue that motivates you? Please explain.I am an incumbent. There are; so many issues on both board, it is impossible to list them all here. On the Forest Preserve side, the continued opening of preserves and how to fund the operation are the most important. Also the possible of saving other important areas like the lakefront is something we all need to work on. On the county side, how to best finish the courthouse, further consolidation, and better management of the budget so that the citizens understand that we have worked to keep the budget at a minimum with the best results possible are important.What are your ideas to ensure the Lake County Discovery Museum remains relevant with county residents during the year it is closed while it moves from Wauconda to Libertyville and its new space is prepared?Being on the preservation foundation, it is our job to keep the Museum in the forefront of everyone's mind. Continuing to work on getting traveling exhibits, making sure space and exhibits are available to the public, having the programs go to the schools. History is important, was we need to know where we have gone to know where we are going. Keeping that out there on a traveling basis is the best way to keep in touch with the residents.Do you believe all of the county board's and forest board's committee meetings should be televised live and webcast? Why or why not?I do believe they should be televised. Coming from the City of Lake Forest where all meetings are televised for all committees, I was shocked that they were not televised at the county. A number of people are interested in the workings of the county, and it is much more transparent if they watch the important meetings where all the work is done. My hope is as they redo the 10th floor, permanent cameras will be installed giving the highest quality we can to these meetings.Some municipalities are turning to Lake County government for contracted services in areas such as building inspections. For example, Lake Zurich signed a two-year contract with the county in late 2015 and expects to save $100,000 by paying $67 an hour for the inspections. Do you see this as a good thing for the county because of the revenue or are there concerns that should be addressed if these arrangements continue to grow? Please explain.I see this as good for the county, good for the municipality, and good for the public. Having inspectors that have seen more and be able to compare to other municipalities helps everyone.Please list any elected office you've ever run for and what the result of that election was. Have you ever been appointed to fill an unexpired term?Alderman, Lake Forest, ran twice, won both times. Mayor Lake forest, ran twice won both times, primary county board, ran twice won both times, and county board once (this will be the second time) won once.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?Financial well being of the county and the forest preserve.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Paul RyanWhat is the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?Finish what you startIf life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?Reaching out to the public more as mayor, so they understood the logic of some decisionsWhat was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?Math, helped me to understand government finance.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?work hard and stay involved in your community