Affordability is key for state House District 64 candidates

State Rep. Tom Weber, a Lake Villa Republican, was unopposed in his bid for a third term two years ago, but this year Democrat AJ Johnson of Lake Villa, a retired U.S. Army master sergeant and now a Waukegan High School JROTC instructor, is his opponent.

The 64th House District includes parts of Lake and McHenry counties.

Voters will decide whether to return Weber to Springfield or allow Johnson, a small business owner, to represent them when they cast their ballots in the Nov. 3 general election, which they can do earlier at select locations or through the mail.

Among voters major concerns are property tax relief, education, affordability and data centers, the candidates say.

Weber, 59, was first elected to the Illinois House in 2018. He worked as an electrician and carpenter before joining the family business — the Weber Duck Farm, which his family started in 1911 — until his father sold it in 1989. He has since owned a construction business, but said the majority of his time is spent performing his legislative duties.

“I like being the voice of victims and victims’ families,” Weber said.

Johnson, 62, served in the U.S. Army since age 18 first as a paratrooper and then a recruiter before retiring after 26 years. He now mentors young people as a JROTC instructor, first in Kenosha and at Waukegan High School since 2012.

“I want to help veterans, youth and the environment,” he said of why he is seeking public office.

Weber and Johnson agree voters are most concerned about property taxes. They said too many people are forced to sell their homes because taxes are rising year after year.

Both say the state should providing more funding to schools to ease the property tax burden on residents.

Affordability is a major issue this fall across the country and district. The cost of housing, health care, utilities, and childcare is all becoming more expensive.

Building more houses and apartments will reduce the cost of housing, Johnson said.

“We need to build more affordable homes,” Johnson said. “You used to be able to get a lot of food for $100,” he added, referring to the increasing cost of groceries. “Now you don’t even need a grocery basket when you spend $100.”

Helping small businesses, particularly manufacturing companies, become more efficient is one way Weber said goods can become more affordable. Modifying some of the taxes people just pay is another way to enable them to afford more by putting additional money in their pockets.

“We should eliminate the CPI (Consumer Price Index) increase on the gas tax,” Weber said. “The gas tax has doubled since 2019. We should get rid of the large venue tax. We are nickel-and-diming people too much.”

On data centers, Weber said municipalities should control what happens with such developments and the companies should bear 100% of the cost.

“There has to be local control,” Weber said. “They need to be transparent so people know what they’re going to get. If energy is needed, it must be paid by the company.”

Johnson said he became educated about data centers after constituents began sharing concerns.

“We need to evaluate them and know what kind of investment it’s going to be,” Johnson said. “We should not share in the infrastructure cost and make sure we are getting something for it. There has to be a return on investment for the taxpayers.”

Early voting is underway between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. at the Lake County Courthouse & Administration Building in Waukegan through Oct. 16, when it expands to 17 other sites.

The 64th District includes all of Antioch, Lake Villa, Fox Lake, Volo, Lakemoor, and part of Ingleside in Lake County, as well as communities in McHenry County.