Mike ‘Shorty’ Shorten: 2024 candidate for McHenry County Board District 4

Bio

Party: Republican

Office Sought: McHenry County Board District 4

City: Crystal Lake

Age: 52

Occupation: Account Manager

Previous offices held: Nunda Township Trustee (2012-2017), McHenry County Board (Dec 2022-Present)

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've served on the board since December of 2022 and am seeking re-election.

My goals in the current term, and into the next term are to ensure that McHenry County Government is effective and run in a cost-efficient manner. I voted against the property tax increase that was passed in November of last year, and voted against a significant fuel tax increase that also passed earlier this year. In my opinion, given the county's financial state, we did not need a property tax increase, and did not need to pass an increase in the fuel tax as large as was passed.

McHenry County remains one of the safest counties in Illinois, which I have shown in words and action to ensure that the Sheriff's office, State's Attorney's office as well as the court system is adequately funded and supported. We have all seen the impacts of a justice system that is not adequately funded and supported and I will work to make sure that McHenry County is a place that people want to live, play and stay.

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?

1) I served as a board representative on the county's AI Workgroup to understand how AI can be used effectively to improve services and reduce cost.

2) I was an ardent supporter of the Mental Heals Board sales tax referendum, which was passed in a bi-partisan vote in March of this year. The sales tax will provide increase funding for the board without increasing property taxes, providing for the addition of much needed services across the county.

3) I lobbied our State Representatives to include McHenry County's Police Social Worker program in state funding grants. Under former Sheriff Prim and continued under Sheriff Tadelman, the PSW program has proven very successful in reducing repeat calls for law enforcement by intervening and providing access to services for residents in need of assistance.

4) Supported the formation of the Workforce Housing Workgroup, which spent a year examining the issue, and produced a report articulating the challenges.

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.

As one of the few counties in Illinois with zero debt and responsible reserves, McHenry County has operated with the guidance of fiscally conservative Republicans which have delivered effective, efficient government to its constituents.

Year after year, the largest threat to McHenry County's revenue/spending balance is from unfunded mandates passed down from Springfield; the most significant was the Safe-T Act which increased costs in the State's Attorney, Sheriff, Clerk as well as the 22nd Judicial Circuit Court. I applaud the efforts of all in their respective offices to ensure that the law was followed in the most effective and efficient way possible.

While there have been headwinds, there have been tailwinds as well, including superlative investments by the Treasurer Donna Kurtz and a revenue generating contract with the Lake County Sheriff to house their inmates.

Given the current balance sheet, I will be supporting a property tax cut for the 2025 budget.

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

Although the McHenry County Board has a Republican majority, there is a healthy and constructive dialogue among the board members.

Within the Republican caucus, there is a diversity of approaches and values. Nevertheless, I have discovered that board members, irrespective of their party affiliation, engage in respectful discussions about the issues at hand. While we may disagree on a specific issue today, there are other areas where we will find agreement and collaborate in the future.

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

McHenry County has a multi-faceted approach to combating the opioid crisis.

I applaud County Sheriff Tadelman and his deputies who have had some significant arrests as of late of cartel traffickers, which has interrupted the flow of opioids through and beyond McHenry County. Additionally, State's Attorney Kenneally should be acknowledged for prosecuting individuals that deliver opioids and other drugs to individuals who die from overdoses. I have been very supportive of both of their offices to face the opiod challenge head on during my term.

Additionally, I have supported funding for the McHenry County Drug Court, which reduces recidivism of individuals with substance abuse disorders by providing those individuals a path out of substance abuse and to a productive life, instead of incarceration.

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

I supported the formation of the Workforce Housing Group which assembled a group of local residents and subject matter experts to examine the situation and produced a report that outlined the challenges with affordable housing in McHenry County.

The only route that I see that the county can take in addressing the issue is advisory as most of the development that takes place in McHenry County is outside of County Authority.

Beyond municipal zoning challenges, the funding of such developments is challenged. We can and should lobby our state and congressional representatives to reduce the bureaucracy that delays financing, as well as examining state and federal and state regulations that negatively impact the cost of development of affordable housing.