Mathias Announces Run For Final Term As Lake County Board Member

Lake County Board Member Sid Mathias, representing District 20, announced today that he is running for re-election to the Lake County Board for one final term.

"As I've served my neighbors on the Lake County Board these past three years, I have fought to improve our quality of life," said Mathias. "I look forward to making sure that Lake County remains the best place to live, work, and raise a family."

As a leader on the Lake County Board thanks to his lifetime of experience and service, Mathias has been a strong voice for fiscal responsibility. He actively supports efforts to make Lake County government more efficient with the public's tax dollars, ensuring that the county continues to deliver balanced budgets and innovative services. As a result, Lake County is one of a small number of counties in the country that boasts a AAA bond rating, the highest possible credit rating.

Mathias has been a leader on transportation issues his entire career. Among his greatest accomplishments are bringing the North Central Commuter Railroad to Buffalo Grove and securing a second track, leading to the honor of the station being named the "Sidney H. Mathias Metra Train Station." He also led to save public transportation in the suburbs, reforming the RTA and keeping CTA, Metra and Pace in service. As a Member of the Public Works and Transportation Committee for the county board, he advocates for transportation investments throughout the county, including the extension of Route 53 into Lake County.

"I have long fought for the Route 53 extension, which would lead to booming economic development in Lake County, jobs for our residents, and traffic congestion relief. I continue to lead on this important issue, and I hope to finally see approval of a plan to complete this project before I complete my final term," stated Mathias.

A champion of transparency well before it was a buzz-word, Mathias has long fought for more accountable and responsible government. As Vice-Chair of the Ethics and Oversight Committee, he helps enforce Lake County's ethics and standards of conduct ordinances for elected and appointed officials. Lake County is considered a good-government model for Illinois. He also serves as co-chair of the Legislative Committee.

Mathias is deeply invested in maintaining the county's forest preserves and preserving open space as a Forest Preserve Commissioner. He serves as Vice-Chair of the Planning Committee and Chair of the Diversity & Cultural Awareness Committee. He also counts economic development and job creation among his most important priorities, bringing good-paying jobs and opportunities to the 20th District and all of Lake County.

Prior to his public service on the Lake County Board, Mathias was elected State Representative from 1999 to 2013. He also served as Village President and Trustee of Buffalo Grove from 1988 to 1999, President of the Northwest Suburban Municipal Conference, and an Officer for the Lake County Municipal League.

A Buffalo Grove resident since 1979, service to his community runs in Mathias' blood. Among his many community service positions, he volunteers as President for Congregation Beth Judea in Long Grove, a Board Member and chairman of the Holocaust Services Committee for the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago, a Member of the Illinois Child Support Advisory Committee, and a Commissioner on the Illinois Holocaust and Genocide Commission. Mathias is also a docent at the Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center. Mathias previously served as President of the Duman Jewish Community Center.

Mathias, a practicing attorney for almost fifty years, earned his law degree from DePaul University and his bachelor's degree from Roosevelt University. He has been married to his wife, Rita, for forty-five years. Rita is a retired teacher from School District 96 and School District 102 and is also a docent at the Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center. They have two children, both rabbis, and eight grandchildren.

As Commissioner for District 20, Mathias represents Buffalo Grove, portions of Long Grove, and portions of the unincorporated areas of Vernon and Ela Townships. He was appointed to the board in 2014 to fill a vacancy and elected to the board in 2016.