Wauconda trustee to run for Lake County Board
Wauconda Trustee Linda Starkey announced Wednesday she'll run for the Lake County Board in 2018.
Starkey, whose political resume includes two terms as North Barrington's mayor, is seeking the Republican nomination for the county's 17th District seat.
The job now belongs to Barrington Republican Michael Danforth, who was appointed to fill a vacancy in February. Reached Wednesday, Danforth said he will run for a full term next year.
That sets up a GOP primary showdown in March 2018, ahead of the November 2018 general election.
Starkey said she's been considering a jump to county politics "for many years" and feels the time finally is right.
"I have felt that I can provide engaged leadership for this sizable governmental body," she said. "I want to be sure that southwest Lake County remains visible and properly represented for any opportunities or challenges ahead."
Starkey's political service began in 1997 when she was elected to North Barrington's village board. She was elected mayor in 1999 and re-elected in 2003.
Following her family's move to Wauconda, Starkey was elected to that village's board in 2011 and re-elected in 2015. Her current term expires in 2019.
During her time on the village board, Starkey has been a leading advocate of the plan to bring Lake Michigan drinking water to town, an effort that should be completed by December 2018.
She also helped develop a Bangs Lake management plan and worked on marketing efforts for Wauconda, among other projects. Starkey owns a retail shop, Threads Boutique, in downtown Wauconda.
Danforth is an attorney whose firm specializes in family issues such as divorce and adoption. The firm's website said it also advises businesses and churches and assists with "restoration of firearm rights."
Danforth said he told county officials he was "committed" to serving beyond the partial term when he joined the board earlier this year.
He serves on the county board's law and judicial committee, and he said he's particularly concerned about ensuring the county's court system is properly funded and running efficiently.
He's also on the county board's public works and transportation committee and its ethics committee.
In the mid-1980s, Danforth served on the DeKalb County Board and the DeKalb County Forest Preserve District board.
Lake County Board members concurrently serve on the Lake County Forest Preserve District board, too.
The 17th District includes parts or all of Wauconda, Island Lake, Lake Barrington, Port Barrington, North Barrington, Barrington Hills, Tower Lakes, Fox River Grove and Hawthorn Woods.