Lakewood Forest Preserve future a priority for District 2 Lake County Board candidates

An experienced public officeholder seeking reelection to represent District 2 on the Lake County Board is being challenged by a Democratic precinct committeeperson making her first run for the office.

Republican Adam Schlick, a lifelong Wauconda resident, served on the Wauconda Park District and village boards before being elected to District 2 in 2022.

A battalion chief for the Wauconda Fire District, Schlick said he is passionate about public service and thinks the most pressing issues are best addressed at the local level.

Hawthorn Woods resident Hilary Winiarz said she is running to make a “real difference” with quality of life for residents a priority. Winiarz, a writer and product manager for Accenture, says she would hold office hours on a regular basis.

District 2 includes Wauconda and portions of Hawthorn Woods, Mundelein, Round Lake and Round Lake Park in southwestern Lake County. County board members double as Lake County Forest Preserve District commissioners.

Both say the future of Lakewood Forest Preserve near Wauconda — the largest in Lake County — is of key importance.

“It was a work in progress and it felt like everything was taken away,” Schlick said of master plan improvements that were deferred. “We can’t leave it to hope and time — it has to happen.”

Winiarz said she was interested in “all things Lakewood and all things forest preserves.”

“Lakewood is absolutely fundamental,” she said. “It was one of the things that inspired me to run.”

Addressing road safety, including the intersection of Fairfield and Chardon roads, and keeping the “pedal to the metal” for construction of the Old McHenry Crossings project near Hawthorn Woods are other issues in the district, Schlick said.

In the bigger picture, Schlick said one of his proudest accomplishments was working with county staff to create a new policy on large-scale grade and fill operations.

“My hope is that this new regulation will prevent future ‘mud mountain’ projects from being proposed in Lake County,” Schlick said.

Another issue Schlick says he hears about frequently is struggles with the county’s waste hauler. He said he’ll work to ensure for stronger provisions in the next agreement to deal with substandard service.

Winiarz said she is running the help shape policies to protect workers, provide clean, equitable forest preserves and provide “badly needed” public and mental health services.

She said county workers are not adequately compensated and generally paid less than the industry standard and those who leave take training, skills and institutional knowledge with them.

“Retention is always less expensive than recruitment and training,” she said.

Schlick is one of five Republicans on the 19-member board. He said he is proud of his tenure and brings a spirit of collaboration.

“I’m generally the voice of reason who listens first and talks second,” he said.

Winiarz said residents “deserve good and present representation” and was eager to do outreach to constituents.