Lake County candidate forum changes venue, format
A planned q-and-a session Tuesday night with the two Republican candidates for Lake County treasurer changed locations and formats.
GOP hopefuls Jeri Atleson and David Stolman were supposed to speak with potential voters at the local party office in Libertyville. Shortly before the event was set to begin, however, the location shifted to the Fuel Room at Austin's Saloon & Steakhouse, a restaurant just down the street.
There, a Republican candidate forum organized by a conservative group called the Northern Illinois Patriots already was underway. About 50 people were in the audience, as well as 10 or so candidates for county and state offices.
Atleson and Stolman were set to participate in that discussion as well, so organizers combined the two events.
However, neither Atleson nor Stolman was asked questions specific to the treasurers' race.
Instead, they and the other candidates spoke about their motivations for running, and then the audience asked questions about the long-proposed extension of Route 53 into Lake County, the state's new concealed carry law, term limits and other issues.
As the treasurer's office is responsible for sending out tax bills and investing county revenue, Stolman and Atleson had little to say about most of the topics broached.
Atleson, of Mundelein, is a certified public accountant who serves on the Fremont Township board. She previously had been a member of the Fremont Public Library board.
In her brief remarks, Atleson said Lake County residents “need a taxpayer advocate in the office.” She promised to freeze the office's budget and to help people understand how the tax system works.
Stolman, of Buffalo Grove, is an attorney and a veteran Lake County Board member. He served as that panel's chairman from 2010 to 2012.
He touted his experience as chairman and said he was the only candidate in the room who's crafted a budget.
“I balanced the budget for the county, and I want it to stay that way,” Stolman said.
The winner of the March 18 primary will face Democrat Cynthia Plouche of Highland Park in November's general election. Plouche is running unopposed in the primary.
Incumbent Treasurer Robert Skidmore, a Republican, isn't seeking re-election.