advertisement

Akrom Hossain: 2022 candidate for Lake County Board District 18

Bio

Party: Democrat

Office sought: Lake County Board District 18

City: Long Grove

Age: 61

Occupation: Healthcare executive

Previous offices held: Vernon Area Library Board Trustee

Q&A

Why are you running for this office, whether for re-election or election for the first time? Is there a particular issue that motivates you?

I moved to this country 30 years ago seeking what everyone seeks: the American Dream. I want to continue giving back to this community that has given me so much. As a US army consultant, I was awarded with a Certificate of Excellence, one of my proudest achievements. I believe that it is important that all of us answer the call of duty for the public good. I am passionate about, and I will fight to, invest in our families and supporting small businesses impacted by the pandemic, reduce governmental red tape and increase job opportunities.

. address the increasing mental health and opioid crises,

. create a fiscally responsible government to address high real estate taxes,

. promote clean environment & green energy initiatives.

I am a Democratic Precinct Committeeman, a founding member of Vernon Township Democrats, and a Trustee at Vernon Area Library. If elected, I will be a strong voice and problem-solver to advance a progressive agenda.

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 board and what would your priority be?

Not an incumbent

Describe your position regarding the balance between county spending and revenues as it exists today, then describe the chief threats you see looming and how the county should deal with them.

The county board has done the right thing by freezing the tax levy this year. But aging infrastructure and inflation have added pressure on the bottom-line on the county budget. Property tax increases are out of the question. We already have one of the highest property tax rates in the nation. I propose that instead, over the next few years, board members must make important choices regarding spending without increasing our property tax levy whatsoever. I am also opposed to the gas tax increases which puts a burden on our families. However, we must be creative in searching out alternative revenue sources like federal and state grant opportunities, funds available in the $1.2 trillion federal infrastructure bill. We also need to increase the tax base by attracting new businesses in Lake County.

How do you rate the county government on transparency and the public's access to records? If it's adequate, explain why. If you think improvements are needed, delineate them.

I rate the county government's transparency and public's access to records as inadequate for our constituents. Digital transformation at the county government is just beginning compared to digital transformation sweeping the corporate world. We have started online board meetings which is a great step in the right direction. However, we need to look further and seek what other areas residents can interact with the county in digital format. In addition, we need to ensure that we address lack of digital access in some of the poorer and rural areas of lake county.

What, if anything, should be done to improve automation and customer service in county offices? What steps should be taken to make that happen?

We need to continuously improve our operation to reduce spending. For example, having multiple assessor systems from various townships is an example of how inefficient and redundant our technology is. I would like to improve residents' ability to file for property tax review by implementing a streamlined and easy to follow online review process.

Article Comments
Guidelines: Keep it civil and on topic; no profanity, vulgarity, slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked. If a comment violates these standards or our terms of service, click the "flag" link in the lower-right corner of the comment box. To find our more, read our FAQ.