Chuck Cerniglia: 2022 candidate for Cook County Board
Bio
Party: Republican
Office sought: Cook County Board
City: Hoffman Estates
Age: 60
Occupation: Business owner
Previous offices held: none
Q&A
Q: What is the county board's role in addressing rising crime rates and what specific policies, programs or initiatives might you support toward reducing violence in Cook County?
A: The County Board, including my opponent, voted to defund the Sheriff's office two years ago. In my opinion that is an example of the board playing a negative role. That critical decision was made in the heat of the moment with a detrimental result. The county board needs to facilitate a comprehensive plan for reducing crime by working with law enforcement and not against it.
Q: Where do you see the greatest need for transportation enhancements in Cook County and how would you address that on the county board?
A: The county needs to conduct a thorough assessment of all of the roadways under their jurisdiction and then develop a plan and a budget for fixing the problems. That process will help identify problems that can be fixed immediately and those that require more time and funding. Two examples of easy fixes are the potholes at Plum Grove Road and Schaumburg Road as well as Roselle Road and Golf Road in my district.
Q: Should the county board enact a fuel or sales tax holiday to assist residents struggling with rising costs of gas, groceries and other needs? Why or why not?
A: Yes. Inflation has driven these costs up and the added taxes make it that much more difficult.
Q: What is one county service that is not adequately provided or could be improved in your district, and how would you address that?
A: I have walked door to door talking to residents and business owners and the number one issue is public safety and crime. There needs to be more county Sheriff collaboration with local law enforcement.
Q: Do you see the Cook County government serving the city of Chicago too much and not paying enough attention to the needs in the suburbs?
A: The City of Chicago has done a horrible job combating crime and their ineptness has put pressure on the Sheriff's office to fill some gaps.
Q: What's your view of the Chicago Bears' possible move to Arlington Heights? Do you think that would put a strain on Cook County government, such as with sheriff's patrols, other services, or infrastructure needs? Or do you think it would help other Cook County businesses and tax revenue?
A: My understanding of the Bears Stadium proposal in Arlington Heights leads me to believe that it will be a net gain. Bears games are attended by many out of state people who buy things and then pay sales taxes. The Bears management have made the decision based on their belief that they can generate more revenue and thus more sales taxes for the county. Chicago's loss is the county's gain.
Q: Do you support efforts to further restrict guns sales or access to guns otherwise in light of the Highland Park mass shooting, and/or in light of continuing gun violence overall?
A: There is no evidence to prove that gun sales or access restrictions would have prevented the types of incidents like those in Highland Park. Chicago has the equivalent of a Highland Park tragedy every weekend and most of those guns were had illegally. The shooter in Highland Park should never have received a FOID card and I see that as a human error and flawed system that would allow someone who threatened to kill people and elicited a police response over those threats. The politicians are posturing but once again, similar to the defunding of police, nobody bothers to think about the consequences of focusing on the wrong solution.
Q: How could Cook County benefit from recently passed federal spending measures, such as on infrastructure, health care and climate change?
A: The Cook County Congressional delegation in Washington DC needs to gear up for assisting in making sure that Cook County get's it's share of the funding. Cook County needs to have a full-scale plan including a wish list ready to help solicit those funds.