Democrat joins crowded field for 17th District Lake County Board seat
The winner of the likely three-way primary for the GOP nomination in Lake County Board District 17 can expect to face a Democratic opponent in November's general election.
Maria Peterson, a 22-year resident of North Barrington and member of the village's plan commission, announced Tuesday she will run for the seat as a Democrat.
"While this is my first run for a large-scale office, I am thrilled that I can bring my skills of listening, mediation/negotiation, research and analysis, and advocacy to the table," Peterson said in her announcement. "I have always delved deeply into learning the subject at hand so that I can learn both sides of the issue, represent my client and/or constituent, and advocate for a favorable outcome."
Also Tuesday, Democrat Jessica Vealitzek of Hawthorn Woods filed to run for the county board's 10th District seat. She would face the winner of a Republican primary between incumbent Chuck Bartels and Jeri Atleson, both Mundelein residents.
Vealitzek, an author and health care startup founder who previously worked as a legislative aide in the Minnesota Senate, said Lake County is "uniquely positioned to become a powerhouse of green jobs."
"I will be a fierce advocate to help us get there," she said.
Peterson, a retired attorney, practiced law at the U.S. Department of Labor, litigating workplace safety violations. After moving to North Barrington, she started FitCore, Inc., a personal training and small-group exercise business.
She also served as a board member for the Citizens Utility Board and the State Employees Retirement System of Illinois, and is a longtime member of Sierra Club and Citizens for Conservation.
"As a county board member, I will advocate that we must think in terms of energy and climate change, sustainable land use and water preservation, and 'green jobs' for the economic and environmental health of Lake County and its residents," she said.
A pair of Republican hopefuls - Wauconda village Trustee Linda Starkey and Eleanor Sweet McDonnell of North Barrington - filed nominating petitions for the seat Monday.
The seat's current holder, Michael Danforth, has not yet filed nominating petitions, but has said he plans to run for election. He was appointed to the seat in February after its former holder, Nick Sauer was elected to the Illinois House of Representatives.
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.