Continuing long records of public service cited by candidates for Lake County Board District 5

Candidates running to represent District 5 on the Lake County Board say they want to continue their long records of public service.

Republican incumbent J. Kevin Hunter of Ingleside, who was appointed to fill a vacancy in July 2021 and elected in November 2022, is seeking reelection.

He is being challenged by Democrat Michael J. Conway, an attorney who lives in Lake Villa, for the Lake County Board District 5 seat.

District 5 includes Fox Lake and Lake Villa and portions of Antioch, Grant and Lake Villa townships and most of Ingleside. County board members double as Lake County Forest Preserve District commissioners.

Hunter, marketing director for Metro Paramedic Service, was a firefighter/emergency medical technician for 24 years. He also served as president of Lakes Region Sanitary District, on the school boards of Grant Community High School and St. Bede School and as a Fox Lake village trustee.

“I really knew I wanted to continue to help,” he said of his reelection bid. “I believe in listening — I believe that’s a long lost art.”

Conway has served on the Lake Villa Elementary District 41 school board for 17 years and the last 12 as president.

“Public service is ingrained in me,” Conway said, adding he thought it time to “transition to a different avenue.”

Hunter said he has championed public safety issues such as safe streets, fire protection, clean water and proper management of waste water infrastructure as services people need but can’t get themselves.

He noted his participation in the Regional Operations & Communications Facility Board, saying it will be “monumental” for the future of consolidated police and fire dispatch.

Conway said he has been involved with five teacher contracts in his time at District 41 as well as overseeing $40 million budgets and the disposition of district facilities.

“There’s been a lot of issues in 17 years,” he said. “That type of experience can translate very well” to the county/forest boards, he added.

Hunter said the $48 million dispatch project will fill a tremendous need in the district and throughout Lake County.

“You’re not going to be put on hold anymore,” he said.

District 5 forest preserves are “wonderful” but completing the facilities and trails at Lake Marie Forest Preserve — purchased years ago — is a priority to provide direct access to the Chain O’ Lakes, according to Hunter.

Hunter voted against consolidating garbage service and open burning prohibitions saying concerns were “largely overlooked and discounted” and that district residents are still upset.

Conway said he isn’t running on a specific issue but protecting the Chain O’ Lakes is imperative and ongoing monitoring of roads and bridges is needed.

He noted the money being paid to McHenry County to house prisoners would be better spent hiring more personnel in Lake County, reducing risk and exposure.

Hunter said jail staffing is “an absolute problem” that wasn’t shared with county administrators before the sheriff’s office submitted its budget.