Christopher Christensen: Candidate Profile

Back to McHenry County Board District 3

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: CaryWebsite: www.chrisschristensen.comTwitter: Candidate did not respond.Facebook: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: McHenry County Board District 3 Age: 41Family: 1 great wife. 2 awesome kids.Occupation: Vice President of Neis InsuranceEducation: University of Illinois at ChicagoBachelor of Arts, Political ScienceCivic involvement: Board of Education: Cary Community Consolidated School District 26Board of Directors: Crystal Lake Chamber of CommerceAmbassador of the Crystal Lake Chamber of CommerceInaugural Planning Committee MemberSanta Run for Kids, Crystal LakePast Committee Member ofBob Blazier Run For the Arts Coach: Cary Jr. Trojans Football baseballGirls Cary SoccerVolunteer:Crystal lake lakeside festival.American Cancer Society Relay for Life.Community Harvest.Elected offices held: Board of Education: Cary Community Consolidated School District 26Questions Answers There were significant voting problems in the March primary. Are you confident sufficient steps have been taken to avoid a repeat in November? What role, if any, should the county board have in such matters?In an era of voter complacency, it's critical we make it as easy as possible for people to vote. I have talked with McHenry County Clerk Mary McClellan who has assured me that there will be no issues come this November. The role of the McHenry County Board over the Clerk's office is extremely limited and really only pertains to budgets; we have no oversight authority.Why are you running for this office, whether for re-election or election for the first time? Is there a particular issue that motivates you? If so, what?I am a father, husband, a veteran, and Vice President of a McHenry County business as well as a lifelong resident of this county and I care deeply about our future. The tax burden for McHenry County residents is out of control. The McHenry County Board cannot create jobs but we can impact legislation to improve the business climate. In order to make a meaningful dent on property taxes we need need controlled economic development. Having an environment that will attract primary jobs is critical.Describe your position regarding the balance between county spending and revenues as it exists today, then describe the chief threats you see looming in the future and how the county should deal with them.McHenry County currently operates under a balanced budget and has a Triple A bond rating Demonstrating good fiscal management. This does not mean that line items cannot or should not continue to be examined. Small course corrections should never be over looked but to have lasting impact, we need to cure the main problem our county faces - the out of control property tax burden and lack of economic growth. The I90 exchange slated for the western part of our County will be a tremendous tool to attract primary jobs and new industry.How do you rate the county government on transparency and the public's access to records? If you consider it adequate, please explain why. If you think improvements are needed, please describe them and why they are important.The last time the Illinois Policy Institute conducted an audit of McHenry County in regards to transparency, we failed. We actually scored worse than Cook County. Transparency in government is something I am passionate about. As one of the organizers that fought a rogue government who violated the Open Meetings Act and whose fight helped inspire recent reform passed by Representative David McSweeney and Senator Dan Duffy, I will do everything I can to fully implement the Illinois Policy Institute 10-Point Transparency Checklist. This checklist can be found on my website. www.chrisschristensen.comPlease 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?I have run for and won a seat on the Board of Education for Cary Community Consolidated School District 26. I received the highest vote total in a field of 8. On September 20th I will be appointed to fill the County Board seat recently vacated by Nick Provenzano for which I am now a candidate.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?The chief complaint I hear as I talk to resident of District 3 and throughout the county is their property taxes. The county Board contributes roughly 10 percent of this bill but has tremendous impact on what can be done to help alleviate the situation. As Board to make meaningful impact on the residents tax bill we need grow this County economically. We need to work organizations like McHenry County EDC who seeks to work with local, county, state and federal legislators to foster, enhance and improve the economic vitality of McHenry County.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.My wife and kids inspire me.What is the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?Be part of the solution, not the problem. Refuse to be outworked or outhustled.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?I would have spent more time with grandfather.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?Senior Study Hall in High School I talked with an Army recruiter and the course of my life was forever changed for the better.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Be part of the solution, not the problem. Refuse to be outworked or outhustled.