J. Kevin Hunter: 2024 candidate for Lake County Board District 5

Bio

Party: Lake County Board District 5

Office Sought: Republican

City: Ingleside

Age: 64

Occupation: Marketing director

Previous offices held: Current County Board Member District 5; Lakes Region Sanitary District-President; Grant Community High School-Board Member; Village of Fox Lake-Trustee; and St. Bede's School Board Member

Why are you running for this office, whether for re-election or election for the first time? Is there a particular issue that motivates you? If so, what?

I was appointed to the board in July of 2021 and subsequently won the General Election in 2022. The opportunity to be a member of the Lake County Board has been stimulating to say the least. My extensive background in governing bodies in my career really gives me a leg up on the business that faces the county board each and every day that needs to be accomplished.

If you are an incumbent, describe your main contributions. Tell us of any important initiatives you've led. If you are a challenger, what would you bring to the board and what would your priority be?

My main contributions have been in the public safety sector, as a retired firefighter/EMT for 24 years. Having those real-life experiences allows me the opportunity to advance the public’s concerns for greater quality public safety.

My participation on the Regional Operations & Communications Facility Board will be monumental for the future of consolidated dispatch for police & fire dispatch in Lake County for years to come.

My participation on the Public Works & Transportation Committee has allowed me the opportunity to expand road replacement projects and allow for the safe transmission of clean water throughout the county and proper management of our waste water infrastructure.

Describe your position regarding the balance between county spending and revenues as it exists today, then describe the chief threats you see looming in the future and how the county should deal with them.

Lake County represents roughly only 7% of your total real estate taxes. With that 7% we operate our court system, county jail, coroner’s office, sheriff's office, government, records division, treasurer's office and all elections to name a few services. Your tax dollars really work for you in this county government. We have held the line on no new tax levy up to this year where it was raised over 4%, I didn't vote for that, I really feel that we could have lived within our means even with the inflation of the last couple years.

Does there need to be more bipartisanship and cooperation on the county board? If yes, what would you do to help make that happen?

Yes, period. The partisan nature of this board is really noticeable. We are a form of government that operates a ridged committee form of governing. This board is divided by (14) Democrats and (5) Republicans of all the committee's of this board not one committee chair has ever been a Republican in my (3+) years on the board and the same can be said about being de-void of any Republican chairs on the Forest Preserve Board also. So you ask why this matters, the committee chair sets the agenda(s) for the committee's work.

What do you see as the greatest need in your district from a county (roads, etc) and forest preserve (facilities, amenities) standpoint?

Having/creating the Regional Operations & Communications center is filling a tremendous need for consolidated dispatch and the elimination of call transfers from agency to agency at a time when every second counts when saving lives.

The Forest Preserve in District 5 are wonderful. One critical step forward is to advance the completion of facilities and trails at the Lake Marie Forest Preserve. The land was purchased well in advance of getting the preserve ready for public consumption, the time is now, the public has been patient enough waiting for this facility that give direct access to the Chain O’ Lakes!

What have constituents in your district been asking about that you would like to see addressed in some fashion?

The general public in District 5 is still very mad that the county board forced them to adopt consolidate garbage service and prohibit the burning of leaf's. I voted no on both these items and I felt the concerns of this district were largely overlooked and discounted when the thousands of communications were submitted to the board and weren't listened to.

Is the county/forest board behind the pay curve compared to other jurisdictions and how can the county/forest board best strive to attract and retain key employees?

Recruitment and retention of employees is a prominent concern and has been since the start of the COVID epidemic. We currently are in the middle of a salary study comparing Lake County to the other counties that surround Cook County. This should yield to us the competitive nature of our salaries and benefits and where we might need adjustments. It is a very competitive marketplace for employees in Lake County.

Do you think the forest preserve should proceed with an agreement with Waukegan Port Authority for 52 acres of Waukegan Savanna? Why or why not?

Yes, I do feel the LCFPD should pursue an agreement with the Waukegan Port Authority. The airport is a huge economic engine for Lake County and needs to be treated as such. If Lake County should elect to oppose this expansion proposal (whatever that might look like), you would see many of our top employers in the county exit Lake County and go to Kenosha County and that would be devastating to our residents, companies, employees and jobs in Lake County.

Is there a general issue or concern on your radar you would like to see the county/forest board address?

The Forest Preserve District has elected to present a referendum to the citizens of Lake County in this election. I believe in listening to the constituents should be the number one priority of any elected official at any level. I believe in asking constituents for there opinion(s) in the form of referendums as the citizenry needs to participate when it comes to taxation for services or things. Not only do I support asking the voters for there opinion, I am an advocate of this important county asset.