Newcomer, experienced write-in candidate square off in Lake County District 17

The Republican primary to represent District 17 on the Lake County Board comes with a twist for voters, as newcomer Joe Salvi faces a write-in challenge from Eleanor Sweet McDonnell, North Barrington’s village president since 2019.

Despite being the only name on the ballot, Salvi, an attorney and partner in Salvi & Maher LLP, said he isn't taking anything for granted.

“We've been knocking on a lot of doors,” said Salvi, a Barrington resident and president of the Lake County Young Republicans. “No matter what the circumstances are, I take everything I do 110%.”

McDonnell, president and CEO of an the Remington Group LLC, acknowledges a write-in campaign is difficult to win but said she has spent her life going against the odds.

“I know in the depth of my heart and soul that I am the best candidate to serve,” residents in District 17, she said.

District 17 runs along the south and western Lake County lines. It includes Barrington, Barrington Hills, Fox River Grove, Island Lake, Lakemoor, Lake Barrington, North Barrington, Port Barrington, Tower Lakes, Volo and portions of Lake Zurich and Round Lake.

County board members also serve as Lake County forest preserve commissioners.

Michael Danforth has represented District 17 for nine years. He filed to run for reelection but withdrew after the filing deadline, saying he wanted time for family.

Salvi submitted paperwork on the last day of candidate filing and subsequently received Danforth’s endorsement. Danforth in a statement said Salvi’s “energy, leadership and commitment to this community are exactly what we need.”

McDonnell said the timing and politics of that situation led her to run as write-in candidate.

“I couldn’t roll over,” she said.

“My qualifications and experience make me the strongest qualified candidate for the position,” she added. “It’s a different type of campaign but that’s the exciting part.”

Educating voters on the write-in process is part of that, she added.

Salvi’s political experience includes serving on the campaign of former U.S. Rep. Peter Roskam and, while in law school, as a research assistant on issues related to state and local government. Roskam, former state Sen. Dan McConchie and former state Reps. Chris Bos and Barbara Wheeler are among those endorsing Salvi.

Sweet finished third for the 17th District seat in the March 2018 primary won by Danforth. She was elected village president in North Barrington in 2019 and reelected in 2023.

She said she worked with the county on a district remap and with the Lake County Stormwater Management Commission regarding a project to control flooding on Route 59.

Salvi, a father of three including a newborn, said the cost of living in Lake County is a concern and wants to fight for a “better, freer and more affordable” situation so families can build their futures here.

Sweet said she is a better choice to represent residents on accountability, transparency and affordability. She said she has been asked by “numerous leaders and many residents” to run for county board and lists about three dozen endorsements from current and former local elected officials.