Our picks for Lake County offices
Lake County State's Attorney
Republican state's attorney Michael L. Waller is strongly endorsed for the proactive and progressive office he has developed during 18 years at the helm. He's played key roles in creation of such critical units as the major crimes task force, children's advocacy center and the cyber crime unit to name a few. Its child support enforcement and collection system was recently named best in the state. His opponent is Democrat Michael D. Jacobs, a Cook County assistant state's attorney for more than 20 years, who has no management experience. Jacobs wants to prioritize serious crime, and is critical of Waller's office for pleading out offenders of child sex crimes for what he says are relatively short prison sentences. He pledges to create a gang crimes and public integrity unit. He is a Gurnee trustee, but says he'll resign if elected.
Lake County Coroner
We endorse Democratic coroner Richard L. Keller, whose first term in office focused on efforts to forestall death through education, information and intervention. He has crafted a highly-regarded Internet blog that has explored discussion on several important and sensitive issues. Keller also has instituted changes to streamline the office and update equipment. His opponent, Republican Michael H. Oster, has said he wants to restore TLC - teamwork, leadership and compassion - to the office. He says he'll draw on former members of the office as resources. Oster, like Keller is a veteran physician. He has criticized Keller for testifying on behalf of a defendant in a child sex abuse case. Keller said he is an expert in child sex abuse examinations (he has done 300), and will testify if subpoenaed by the defense. A state coroner group found no problem with such testimony.
Lake County Circuit Clerk
Republican incumbent Sally Coffelt faces Democratic challenger Cynthia J. Pruim Haran. We are troubled by Coffelt's hiring of relatives for jobs - five on the staff of 150 - ranging from courtroom clerks to the director of finance (her brother at an annual salary of $74,000). This issue was raised in previous elections during Coffelt's 28-year career in this office. As in those cases, she contends those relatives were qualified for the job, come to work every day, are among the best employees in the office and are paid fairly. Regardless, we are not comfortable with the message such a practice sends to taxpayers. There are lots of qualified job candidates in the general public whose hiring would eliminate any whiff of nepotism. We endorse Haran, a lawyer in the public defender's office, whose resume also sports corporate budget and management experience. She advocates the need for the office to follow others in opening Internet access to some information and transactions.