Q&A with Provenzano

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? What will be your main priority?

I believe that I can continue to add value to the county board's debate of critical issues. I am particularly motivated by public safety issues through my work as chairman of the law and justice committee, vice chair of liquor and license, and as a liaison to the disaster planning committee. My priorities are to continue to follow the financial modeling tool that has allowed us to create a fiscally sound organization, continue to seek solutions to traffic congestion, protect the county's groundwater, and continue work on several public safety initiatives such as the completion of the Sheriff's Radio Interoperability Upgrade that allows critical communications between deputies and federal, state and municipal first responders, continue the work on the Integrated Justice Information System, an information sharing framework between the justice agencies of the county and to complete the work of the Juvenile Justice Task Force.

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.

I worked on the Dangerous and Vicious Dog Task Force which ultimately led to new state statutes, allowing the county to toughen penalties on irresponsible dog ownership. I re-wrote and strengthened the "Inoperable Vehicle Ordinance" that led to the court-ordered cleanup of a vehicle dump in Nunda Township. In order to help prevent corruption and waste in government I led the effort to enact a "Whistleblower" Ordinance. I am actively working with key officials in Springfield to get our fair share of road construction dollars. I also led the effort to regulate relocation towing in McHenry County to prevent predatory towing practices in our county. I am currently working closely with the McHenry County Child Advocacy Center to assist in a stable funding source. This will ensure their important work in investigating child sexual abuse crimes will continue at the professional level we have witnessed over the recent years. Their work has lead to successful prosecutions of child sexual abusers in McHenry County. I worked closely with the sheriff's office to enforce our liquor ordinance and prevent serving to minors. Our recent liquor sales stings led to the license revocation after an establishment sold to undercover minors three times in seven months.

3. The county has taken a leadership role in studying the issue of long-term water supply maintenance and protection. What should the county's emphasis be in this area over the next few years? Explain.

I will continue to support the efforts we started this year with the addition of a water resource manager that will create a regionally based comprehensive groundwater protection program. It will be critical that this protection have participation by all the municipalities in the county. I will also continue to support the Groundwater Protection Task Force and their efforts to have a protection program completed during 2009. I also supported and voted for the new Conservation Design Ordinance that provides methodologies for environmentally friendly development in the county. The county has begun to implement an observation well network, 3-D geological mapping which will lead to more accurate groundwater modeling.

4. Transportation issues continue to be a major concern to residents. How would you judge the county's response to their demands so far? What would you consider to be of highest county priority in this area and how would you fund its delivery?

I will continue to find new solutions to transportation funding such as the bonding program introduced this year. These funds should be used to continue and accelerate the county 5-year highway improvement plan of which the top capacity improvements should be Algonquin Road, Randall to Route 47, Miller Road widening in McHenry and western Algonquin bypass. The plan also calls for maintenance, bridge improvements, safety improvement and operational improvements. We must get our fair share of state road improvement dollars. We should also ensure the transportation fund balance is sufficient to give the greatest flexibility to provide local matching funds for federal dollars should they be made available. I am actively working with key officials in Springfield to get our fair share of road construction dollars. Recently, I joined a contingency of business and governmental leaders in a trip to Springfield, to lobby for state dollars to design and build an Algonquin bypass and widen Route 31 from Algonquin to McHenry. I also support the just passed county resolution that will manage the county's share of the new sales tax increase. The county resolution calls for the vast majority of revenue generated from the 1/4 percent increase to be spent on transportation improvement projects.

5. Not including those issues already identified above, is there another issue you believe will affect the county or your district over the next four years? If so, define it and explain how you would like to see it addressed.

Although the county's financial health is very strong, we will need to closely monitor current economic impacts to the revenue streams that fund the county services. The recent downturn in housing development has dramatically impacted revenues sources from this activity. I will continue to support the county's financial modeling that has led to "maintenance" style budgets to limit growth of spending to areas of safety and critical services only. McHenry County government continues to have an excellent bond rating as a result of our multi-year conservative approach and our adherence to a 6-month operating cash reserve. We are reviewing other cost controls such as a freeze on hiring and merit increases. Several county infrastructure improvements may also be postponed.

6. Please list the names of all relatives employed by or involved in contracts with McHenry County, their relationship to you and their position or area of business.

None.