John Reinert: 2024 candidate for McHenry County Board District 2

Bio

Party: Republican

Office Sought: McHenry County Board District 2

City: Crystal Lake

Age: 64

Occupation: Realtor and home builder

Previous offices held: McHenry County Board

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 am a REAL ESTATE board member and a local Home builder. I currently represent the people in District 2 which is mostly Crystal Lake, parts of Cary, Lake in the Hills and Lakewood. I serve as vice Chair of the Planning & Development committee and also serve on the Transportation committee. I also serve on the Valley Hi Board, the stormwater and drainage committee and I am a liaison board member to the McHenry County Conservation District.

I am most interested in supporting home ownership and easing the burdens put on the business community here in McHenry County.

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?

I question unnecessary spending and bureaucratic mandates that impede every McHenry County resident and business owner. In my tenure I called out whatever tax increases that came our way, from the fuel tax, to the sales tax that funds the Mental Health Board. I support road improvements and our Health Board, but the taxpayers have their limits as to what the tax burdens mean to their bottom line. Springfield and Washington are beginning to pull local tax dollars that come our way. This concerns me as our expenses need to be questioned at every quarter.

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.

This falls into the previous question that asks what my main contributions are. Spending and revenues. I am active in dealing with these issues by not only spending, but also supporting the homeowners and businesses right here in McHenry County. McHenry County is currently debt free, due to fiscal conservative leadership that have helped all of us.

However, threats are obvious with the mandates coming at us from Springfield with the energy code increases to the building industry, Springfield legislation has threatened all of the counties with the end of the sales tax on food. That sales tax came directly back to the communities that paid them. That revenue shortfall is felt right here. The Safety Act is a threat to law enforcement and affected the entire judicial procedure. Also, Federal monies are drying up and funding for not only County and Municipal entities but also the Pace, Metra train service and the CTA. They are going to be grossly underfunded in the very near future.

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

I try to stay away from the partisan politics. I am not interested in virtue signaling and try to keep my eyes on county business. Most of the board members know and trust my word. If I relate my position they can count on my support or otherwise. Also, I stay away from getting personal and avoid calling individuals out and try not to make anyone look bad in public. The people in my district are not interested in side shows and want results. They can rest assured everyone has my cooperation.

What role should the county play in combating the opioid crisis?

The drug courts currently have our county support. Rather than throwing every drug related offender in jail, rehab is an alternative. This has not only kept good people that are suffering from the opioid epidemic out of jail, but has saved the County millions of Dollars in detention costs. I will continue to help the efforts of our state's Attorney office and Sheriff's dept in their outstanding service.

What role should the county play in increasing affordable housing in the region?

Currently we are experiencing downstate influences on the housing industry. Obtainable workforce housing is the goal, however energy code mandates have increased the cost of new housing construction costs by at least 10%. My real estate professional friends and many others in both county and municipal government are working on ways to repeal some of these high cost mandates. The county can help foster new growth in both the business industry and also the housing industry. Proudly I can honestly say, we are doing both. Also, Mchenry County College is helping educate by working with the trade industry training our future needed workforce.