Two Democrats vie for chance to unseat Lake County sheriff

Two candidates are vying to win the Democratic nomination for Lake County Sheriff in the Feb. 2 primary.

Douglas Roberts, an attorney from Waukegan, is facing former Lake County Sheriff's Deputy John Krempotic of North Chicago. The winner will take on Republican incumbent Sheriff Mark Curran of Libertyville, a former Democrat who switched parties in December 2008.

Krempotic, who worked for the sheriff's office from 1982 through 2007, said improving services, particularly in the highway patrol division, is his number-one campaign issue. Reducing recidivism through enhancing programs for inmates exiting the Lake County jail and reducing the number of outstanding warrants on file are also priorities.

He also said he is against red light cameras.

"These cameras have served to cause greater delays in the movement of traffic," he said in a candidate questionnaire. "Citizens are afraid to turn right on a red light where permitted, because of the fear of getting a ticket."

Roberts said he is running for sheriff to ensure communities are safe, adding he will institute administrative cost procedures, while also removing all politics from the office.

"I will not let politics and political favors influence my decisions and I will install new hiring and promotion practices that lessen the influence of money and politics," he said in his questionnaire. "With over 500 employees in the office, the sheriff needs to be a full-time administrator, not a full-time politician."