Michael Walkup: 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: Crystal LakeWebsite: www.WalkupElection.comTwitter: Candidate did not respond.Facebook: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: McHenry County Board Chairman Age: 66Family: Divorced. One Daughter, two grandsons.Occupation: Attorney/ County Board MemberEducation: Juris Doctor, Catholic University of America, 1976Civic involvement: Environmental Defenders of McHenry County; McHenry County Historical Society; Crystal Lake Historical Society; McHenry County Bar Association.Elected offices held: McHenry County Board, District 3; Crystal Lake Park District Board of Commissioners; Republican Precinct Committeeman, Nunda 15Questions Answers This is the first time there will be an election for county board chairman. Describe the significance of this and what it might mean to the people of McHenry County.There is much misinformation being disseminated about this position and what a Board Chairman can do. County government has limited functions and is only one of dozens of local independent government bodies. McHenry County is only responsible for a little under ten percent of the total property tax bill and the County Board Chairman is only responsible for chairing the meetings of the County Board and performing such other functions as are allowed by the County Board. It is therefore vital that the Chairman be someone who can work with the Board members, because without cooperation he can do nothing.Valley Hi Nursing Home, operated by the county, has received an unflattering federal report about its infection control procedures. How do you think the county should respond? What needs to be done there?There is no "federal report". There is a state report. Valley Hi is independent of the County Board, with the County Board only appointing the Valley Hi Operating Board members as their terms expire and approving the overall budget figures. The County Board does not supervise day to day functioning of Valley Hi. The scabies situation is common at nursing facilities and can be difficult to detect initially. Valley Hi staff has studied the response in detail and has initiated corrective measures. All of the patients involved have completely recovered and there is no further evidence of a reoccurrence.What is your position on government consolidation? Are there areas of government in McHenry County that strike you as prime candidates for such consideration?I was one of the proponents of the township consolidation effort which failed at the Board due to opposition from township officials and some wrinkles in state law. We have attempted to get the legislature to make needed legal changes but so far they have failed to act. Other areas could be Fire Protection and Drainage Districts, and some of our boards and commissions. The people on those boards are not paid so consolidation does little to save money, and could cost more in some instances. We are currently studying what, if anything, should be done about further consolidations.State your views on the issue of McHenry County Board members receiving pensions.I spearheaded the effort to eliminate the pensions on our Board which passed in June of this year. County Board members would have received about $200/mo. in pensions after ten years of service in a well funded IMRF system. In contrast, state legislators, who are also part time, receive almost $60,000 per year and start to vest after only 4 years, with their pensions being funded only by about 15%, so that the taxpayers have to make up the difference. It is a huge case of the pot calling the kettle black for state legislators to criticize county board pensions.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?I ran for State Senate twice in the 1990's and Nunda Township Supervisor in 1999, losing all three. I ran successfully for Park District Board in 2007 and 2009 and County Board in 2012.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?The McHenry County government is one of the best and most efficiently run local governments in our area if not in the state. In addition to cutting the budget we have avoided cost of living increases for 4 years, and have retained a Triple A bond rating. Although property taxes in McHenry County are among the highest in the nation, 90% of that is due to other local governments, 70% being from school districts, over which the county has no control. We have room for further improvements but that needs to be done responsibly to avoid cuts in vital servicesPlease name one current leader who most inspires you.None of the current leaders are too inspiring. My examples from the past are Lincoln, Jefferson, John Adams.What is the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?Family is the most important thing in life. My mother died at the age of 52.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?I would probably try to pursue more in the creative areas.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?History was always my favorite. I went on to major in it in college. He who does not study history is condemned to repeat it.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Always be true to yourself, and treat others like you would like to be treated.