John Jung: Candidate Profile

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Note: Answers provided have not been edited for grammar, misspellings or typos. In some instances, candidate claims that could not be immediately verified have been omitted. Jump to:BioQA Bio City: WoodstockWebsite: www.JohnJungCounty Board.comTwitter: Candidate did not respond.Facebook: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: McHenry County board District 5 Age: 69Family: Wife - Maria Josefina Daughter Anna Maria, Son-in-law -Adam and 4 grandchildren Daughter - Lisa MariaOccupation: Business Owner/Produce PackagingEducation: BA - Political Science w/minor in Economics Graduate courses in Adult EducationCivic involvement: Served on the Advisory Council of Northwest Opportunity Center and Board of Directors Member of the McHenry County Farm Bureau Member of the McHenry County Defenders Member of Woodstock, Crystal Lake and Huntley Chamber of Commerce Past member of the Marian Central Father's Club Past President of the Woodstock Lion's Club Co-founder of Communities Against Gangs (CAG) Volunteer for McHenry County Police Charities Supporter of Woodstock VFW Supporter of New Horizons Veteran Services Board of Directors The Land Conservancy of McHenry County Introduced Youth Peer Jury System to the County BoardElected offices held: Government Experience: McHenry County Board, Vice-Chairman (2004 Ãcirc;#144; 2008, 2010-2012)Liaison to McHenry County 2030 Regional Planning Commission Chairman of the Human Resource Committee Member:Liquor and License Committee,Law Government, AdHoc Committee for Government Consolidation Past Member of McHenry County's Human Relations Committee Past member of the McHenry County Storm Water Committee Past member of the Management Services Committee Served on the Chairman's Advisory Forum Introduced Youth Peer Jury System to the County Board Past Chair of Legislative Committee Political Experience: Current Committeeman for Precinct Dorr 11Questions Answers The county board chairman often references high property taxes as the greatest issue facing McHenry County. What steps would you take to address this problem?High property taxes are a problem in McHenry County. These high taxes are forcing people to leave McHenry County and Illinois at alarming rates. The County Board has done its part by reducing its budget for the last 6 years. It has eliminated vacant positions and reviews employee benefits on a continual basis. These policies and reforms contributed to the county's ability to reduce its tax levy by over 11%. The largest tax burden on McHenry County's property owners comes from the school districts' tax levies. With this in mind, Michele Aavang, Chris Spoerl, and myself introduced a non-binding referendum to ask the taxpayers if school districts should reduce their tax levies by 10%.How do you think the Valley Hi Nursing Home should be operated, and what should be done about it's multimillion-dollar surplus?Valley Hi is in a strong financial position it is not a drain on the County's budget. It has, in fact, built a cash reserve. Knowing this, the County has reduced the levy for Valley Hi for the last few years. It plans to continue to reduce the levy and to reduce, but not eliminate, the cash reserves. Cash reserves are a necessary safeguard for any organization, association, or business. They ensure the continued effective, efficient, and successful operation of Valley Hi. Past financial troubles have provided the County Board with the insight to guard against such failings by building a cash reserve that is economically feasible without causing an unnecessary tax burden. By using the cash reserves of Valley Hi, the county was able to reduce its levy by over 11%.What is your position on government consolidation? Are there areas of government in McHenry County that strike you as prime candidates for such consideration?The ad hoc committee for consolidation is currently looking at consolidating the Lake in the Hills Sanitary district with the Village of Lake in the Hills. As a member of this committee, I believe that government consolidation is a good idea when it reduces costs and maintains or increases services and benefits to the taxpayersHow do you rate the county government on transparency and the public's access to records? Please explain.McHenry County Government was the recipient of a Ãâ#128;™Sunny AwardÃâ#128;œ, from the Sunshine Review Organization with an Ãâ#128;™A+Ãâ#128;œ transparency grade (www.sunshinereview.org). The Ãâ#128;™Sunny AwardÃâ#128;œ is presented by the editors of the Sunshine Review to honor the most transparent government websites in America. The Sunshine Review Organization evaluates and rates state and local government transparency on a public body's website through a ten point checklist. The ten point checklist in which McHenry County met all of the criteria include: Budgets, Open Meeting Laws, Elected Officials, Administrative Officials, Building Permits and Zoning, Audits, Contracts, Lobbying, Public Records, and Taxes.Should small amounts of recreational marijuana be legalized and taxed? Please elaborate on your position.A far more serious issue than the legalization and taxation of marijuana, is the opioid epidemic. We should be spending our resources searching for a solution to alleviate or at the least to reduce the addiction and death rates of opioid use. Actually, the legalization and taxation of marijuana is a state issue. And, as of today, the sale and use of marijuana is a federal offense.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?Smart economic growth is not only planning for the future but assessing today's reality with a keen insight into tomorrow's needs. To be attractive to employers, the County needs to have less stringent regulations so it is easier for businesses to expand or locate within the County. The County needs to foster and develop a solutions-based approach when businesses inquire about relocation and expansion within the county. The county needs to continually improve its infrastructure both physically and technologically. The County's current focus on technological advancement is to provide broad band services throughout the county particularly in rural areas. It is working with NIU and MCC to achieve this objective. Through its partnership with the EDC and the Workforce Investment Board, the county is anticipating the employment needs of companies within the county by providing the unemployed and underemployed with the skills needed for not only today's jobs but the skills required for tomorrow's positions. Solutions to easing and/or alleviating the opioid use epidemic are necessary to eliminate unnecessary deaths, and to prevent the strangulation of already over-burdened first responder services and government health resources.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Pope FrancisWhat is the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?Be honest, Be kind, and take responsibilityIf life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?I'm quite satisfied with my life and my accomplishments. No do over for me.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?Political Science HistoryIf you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Be honest, be kind, be true to yourself.