Aaron Lawlor: Candidate Profile

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Note: Answers provided have not been edited for grammar, misspellings or typos. In some instances, candidate claims that could not be immediately verified have been omitted. Jump to:BioQA Bio City: Vernon HillsWebsite: www.aaronlawlor.comTwitter: Candidate did not respond.Facebook: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Lake County Board District 18 Age: 34Family: SingleOccupation: Lake County Board ChairmanEducation: Libertyville High SchoolBA, Lake Forest CollegeMBA, Lake Forest Graduate School of ManagementCivic involvement: Board Member, Lake County United Way Board Member, A Safe Place Vernon Hills Lions Club Lake County Navy LeagueLake County Partners, Board of Governors and Operations CommitteeChair, 2015 Lake County Navy League Annual Awards DinnerChair, 2016 Lake County Navy League Annual Membership BreakfastHonorary Chair, 2014 Lake County Center for Independent Living GalaVice-Chair, Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning MPO Policy CommitteeSolid Waste Agency of Lake County Board of Directors (past)Community Development Commission (past)Friends of Ryerson WoodsHawthorn District 73 Future Search Strategic Planning Committee (past)North Suburban Library System Board of Directors (past)Elected offices held: County Board Chairman (2012-present)County Board Member (2009-present)Forest Preserve Commissioner (2009-present)Cook Memorial Public Library District Board (President 2005-2009 and Trustee 2003-2009)Questions Answers Why are you running for this office? If you are running for re-election, is there an important project you want to implement? If you are a challenger, is there a particular issue that motivates you? Please explain.As I speak with families and businesses in the district, they are concerned about taxes, government spending, the economy and caring for vulnerable populations including seniors, the disabled and those with mental illness.I have led numerous successful efforts to promote economic development, hold the line of the county's portion of property taxes, cut spending and consolidation unnecessary units of government.Another issues I am passionate about is helping those with mental health challenges. I believe this is THE biggest moral imperative for our elected officials to answer.What are your ideas to ensure the Lake County Discovery Museum remains relevant with county residents during the year it is closed while it moves from Wauconda to Libertyville and its new space is prepared?There are many opportunities to provide cost-effective and interesting programs in remote locations like schools, senior centers and community centers that have built in constituencies.Do you believe all of the county board's and forest board's committee meetings should be televised live and webcast? Why or why not?I led a bipartisan effort to televise the County's Finance Committee. The Finance Committee oversees every expenditure that the County Board considers and is responsible for numerous union contracts and legal matters. However, unfortunately, the County Board and Forest Preserve District Board meetings are consistently among the lowest watched programs that LCTV produces. I support an incremental approach that uses the County's Finance Committee as a pilot program so that we can measure viewership and the benefit televising this committee has for voters and taxpayers.Some municipalities are turning to Lake County government for contracted services in areas such as building inspections. For example, Lake Zurich signed a two-year contract with the county in late 2015 and expects to save $100,000 by paying $67 an hour for the inspections. Do you see this as a good thing for the county because of the revenue or are there concerns that should be addressed if these arrangements continue to grow? Please explain.Shared services like the Lake Zurich building inspection contract have been a hallmark of my service on the County Board and my Chairmanship. In 2013, I brought together government, civic and business leaders for what we believe was the first ever comprehensive Lake County Leaders Summit. It was important to get everyone in the same room and have a conversation on how we can work better together and what we should be working on. Key initiatives that have come out of the event include shared service collaborations, 911 dispatch consolidation and a more coordinated approach to economic development.Please list any elected office you've ever run for and what the result of that election was. Have you ever been appointed to fill an unexpired term?Cook Memorial Public Library District:- Appointed in 2003- Elected in 2005- Re-elected in 2009County Board:- Appointed in 2009- Elected in 2010- Re-elected in 2012What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?It is important we elect leaders who know how to collaborate, have a proven track record and the creativity to constantly identify new challenges. I am excited to be that person and ask for the support of District 18 voters.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Pope FrancisWhat is the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?Work hard and finish what you started. My mom raised me as a single parent and worked three jobs when I was growing up.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?I would try have have a better relationship with my dad before he passed away. We tried, but not hard enough.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?Marketing. It is important that we constantly evaluate how we are communicating to our voters, taxpayers and businesses.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?The harder you work, the luckier you'll be. This was the theme of my 2015 commencement speech at the College of Lake County.