Q&A with Powers

1. Why are you running for this office, whether for re-election or election the first time? Is there a particular issue that motivates you, and if so, what is that? What will be your main priority in office?

Lake County is only one of 30 counties in the United States with a AAA bond rating. We, the members of the Lake County Board, are very proud of that achievement especially when you see the problems Cook County is experiencing. We have worked together as a team and we have few internal problems. As an incumbent, I wish to remain a part of that team. Every one of us contributes in a different way. One of the main issues that we are facing is protecting and defending that AAA bond rating. This has been our promise to the people of Lake County. It is essential now, when economic times are rough, to keep that team together. We have proven that this task of protecting the finances of Lake County can be done and will be done in the future. I would like to continue working on important issues such as Winchester House and transportation.

2. For incumbents and non-incumbents: If you are an incumbent, describe your main contributions. Tell us of important initiatives you've led. If you are not an incumbent, tell us what contributions you would make.

My main contributions include spearheading what will be the new Winchester House in Libertyville. There had been a lot of people who wished to close it because of the expense but I helped to convince the other board members that it is important to the seniors to have this option for their long-term care. Another contribution was the new Nippersink Forest Preserve on Route 120, which opened to the public at the end of August. My district and many of the surrounding districts will heavily use this forest preserve. Some of the transportation projects are the Rollins Road and Washington Street expansions and the new extension of Cedar Lake Road, which will take pressure off Route 120. I have been the most involved board member in the distribution of all federal funds to the social services and moneys for municipal infrastructures bringing close to $2 million to my district. I have been the leading board member in working for more affordable housing in Lake County.

3. Should a new golf course be built at the Fort Sheridan Forest Preserve? Why or why not? If so, what type of course should be built? If not, what about the promise to residents and the Army?

I do not believe nor have I ever supported a new golf course at Fort Sheridan. Right now, the cost is so very high with some figures placing one at close to $30 million. Revenue from golf courses all over the country (including Lake County) has gone down and that was before this current economic slowdown. It is also very hard to explain the building of such an expensive golf course to the residents of western Lake County, including my district. As far as the promise to the residents and the Army goes, if the Army demands a golf course then we will have to build one - it just doesn't have to be such an expensive undertaking.

4. In November, Lake County residents will be asked to approve a $185 million plan that will raise money for land purchases and development. Is this the right economic time to make such a request? Why or why not?

The Lake County Forest Preserve District referendum is asking the residents what they want to do. It is their choice to pass it or turn it down. I believe that this is important in any economic time. It is far less expensive (tax wise) to purchase land for forest preserves than have developers build thousands of homes, which in the long run will increase the costs of running our schools, transportation and all other governmental services.

5. If that proposal passes, where (geographically) would the forest board focus its immediate energies and money? Why?

Because the eastern part of Lake County is very close to being built out, when open space is found there the cost is nearly prohibitive. So the logical choice is to purchase more forest preserve land in western Lake County. This is true for several different reasons, among which are the availability of land, the cost per acre (and the slowing down of building more roof tops that are very costly to the taxpayers of Lake County), which would help relieve the need for more schools and services.

6. Within the next few years, Lake County will have a large enough population to allow the forest board to split off from the county board and become its own agency. Should it do so? Why or why not?

State law requiring the population of Lake County to be 800,000 people controls the splitting of the county board and the forest preserve. According to studies done, this may not happen soon. When the population reaches that amount then the two boards must split.

7. Are there additional steps, besides those already under way, that the county board can or should take to provide traffic congestion relief?

The forest preserve referendum will be very important to this issue. If it passes it will generate enough money to buy land that will keep 6,000 homes from being built. Every development that does not happen is less pressure on traffic congestion. Also, the new tax dollars that will be coming into Lake County have been promised to go to transportation by this county board. This should go a long way to correct some of the problem spots in the county. The Lake County board has long been an advocate of "smart growth." The fast grown in Lake County, mostly in municipalities, has created much of the traffic congestion.

8. What is the most pressing county board-related issue in your district?

Two of the most pressing issues facing the county board in my district are 1. Transportation, which in my term has been addressed by the widening of Rollins Road and Washington Streets. And soon to be addressed the extension of Cedar Lake Road. In the future we also will be working with the new county tax dollars to improve the intersection at Rollins Road, Hainesville Road and Route 83, which is one of the biggest bottlenecks in Lake County. 2. The other issue is health services which we addressed with the new Lake County Health Department Clinic on Clarendon and Cedar Lake Roads. This has also become one of the busiest in the county.