Sandy Hart: 2026 candidate for Lake County treasurer
Bio
Office sought: Lake County treasurer
Party: Democrat
City: Lake Bluff
Age: 58
Previous offices held: Lake County Chair, 2018-present; Lake County Board, 2012-present; Lake Bluff Park District Commissioner, 2007-2012
Q&A
Why are you running for this office? Is there a particular issue that motivates you?
I am running for Treasurer to apply my proven track record in fiscal oversight and operational excellence as Lake County Board Chair to the critical responsibilities of the Treasurer's Office - managing county investments, safeguarding public funds, and ensuring transparent financial reporting. In my fourteen years on the board, I’ve always been interested in the budget, our audits, and the security protocols of County government. It’s vitally important that the Treasurer’s Office ensures our money is safe, appropriate controls are in place, and investments are sound and diverse. Information must be easily accessible to the public, whether it involves property taxes, the financial transactions of the County, our investment policy, or other taxing districts for which we collect and distribute property tax revenue. Lake County Government has always strived for excellence and continuous improvement, and I look forward to working closely with the Treasurer’s Office team to see how we can offer the best customer service for our residents and customers. It has been my full time job serving as Board Chair for the last eight years, and it will be my full time job to serve as Treasurer.
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 position and what would your priority be?
My deep experience makes me the right choice to serve as Treasurer. I have served as County Board Chair for eight years and am proud of what we’ve accomplished. We held our tax levy flat for four years by maintaining disciplined, balanced budgeting practices; are AAA bond rated; and consistently receive the GFOA award for meeting the highest principles of governmental budgeting and transparency. We’ve saved over $22 million with smart refinancing and, with Lake County Partners, helped Lake County rank top 10 in the nation for economic development. We developed Illinois’ first countywide transit program for seniors and people with disabilities and helped launch the 211 system, connecting residents to services and resources. We implemented vendor disclosure requirements and established multiyear capital planning and other financial management practices for better budgeting and transparency. We’ve eliminated unnecessary layers of government, consolidating and/or eliminating special districts, demonstrating that we can reduce duplication while maintaining essential services. My priority is to continue working on exceptional governance and customer service for our residents.
What special qualifications does a county treasurer need that may not apply to other county offices? What professional qualifications or experiences do you possess that will help ensure your success as treasurer?
While the State of Illinois does not require any special qualifications to be a county treasurer, I would argue that a background in budgeting, business, and leadership are all important qualifications. Given that, I’m well prepared to serve as Treasurer. As Chair of the Board for the last eight years, my colleagues and I oversee a $700 million budget covering all aspects of county government while working with residents, government partners, and stakeholders, collaborating to provide the resources Lake County residents need the most. In preparation for this role, I recently earned my certification as a Government Investment Professional, designed for individuals who manage, supervise, or handle public and government investment portfolios. Prior to serving on the county board, I earned the professional designation as a Certified Illinois Assessing Officer, which has been extremely helpful in understanding the property tax process, of which the Treasurer’s Office plays a key role. I hold an MBA from DePaul University and a BA from Indiana University School of Business. I am looking forward to serving Lake County in this new way.
Name one concrete program you’ll create or personnel move you’ll make to improve efficiency in the office or make it more successful. Explain how it will be funded and how you will overcome any obstacles to initiating it.
I look forward to undertaking a cash flow analysis and reviewing our investment portfolio to establish the best approach to preserve principal, ensure proper liquidity, and optimize yield. In addition, I believe that our website could be improved, and I will be providing more information for the public, including our investment policy and reporting; an overview of the County’s spending; and detail of the budget. I also see the benefit of an investment committee to help evaluate and guide our investment decisions to get the greatest return on the County’s money. I don’t anticipate any obstacles to this implementation. The Treasurer’s Office also works closely with other departments in the county, like the Assessor’s Office and the County Clerk, and I am very interested in partnering with my colleagues to find areas of improvement and greater collaboration. In addition, the Treasurer’s staff know the areas where we can improve, and we will work together to assess processes and determine what improvements can be made to best serve our residents while following state statute and the demands of the office.