Chuck Cerniglia: 2022 candidate for Cook County Board District 15
Bio
Party: Republican
City: Hoffman Estates
Age: 59
Occupation: Business Owner
Previous offices held: Precinct Captain
Q&A
Q: Why are you running for this office, whether for reelection or election for the first time? Is there a particular issue that motivates you? If so, what?
A: I am running to serve the 15th district of Cook County on the board of commissioners to better the lives of all of our residents by trying to lower taxes, improve the infrastructure, and protect our business community from further lockdowns and mandates that have put many businesses out of business and destroyed jobs.
Q: Cook County was alone in the six-county Chicago area to require proof of vaccination against COVID-19 to enter restaurants, bars and other establishments earlier this year. Did you agree with that decision, and would you support reimposing that requirement should the region face another surge in infections?
A: No, I did not agree with the decision to require proof of vaccine against COVID-19 to enter restaurants and bars and other establishments and would not support reimposing that requirement.
Q: Did the county do enough to support businesses negatively impacted by the pandemic? If yes, please name one specific program you supported that did that. If no, please name one specific action the county could have taken to help.
A: No, the county did not do enough to support businesses. the county managed to keep the big box stores opened while making sure the small business stayed closed. The county should have worked harder to find solutions to keep these businesses open and operating. I also have heard stories of significant delays assistance to these businesses.
Q: There's been a concerted effort within the county's criminal justice system to incarcerate fewer pretrial defendants in the county jail. Some, particularly in the suburbs, blame this for a rise in crime. Do you support these policies? If not, what would you suggest instead?
A: I do not support this policy. I agree that this explains why there is a rise in crime in the suburbs. There are too many criminals who have committed multiple crimes who should be incarcerated for pretrial. Every case should be examined and upon examination it should be determined that a criminal should be incarcerated if they have multiple crimes listed in their criminal record. A first time minor non battery offense should not be subject to incarceration pretrial but anyone who has a prior gun charge should be held.
Q: In July 2020, the county board passed a resolution that called for, in part, the county to "redirect funds from policing and incarceration to public services not administered by law enforcement." Did or do you support this measure and the philosophy behind it? Why or why not?
A: No, I did not. I do believe there is a need to bolster our social services. However, we should not redirect funds from policing and incarceration. Separately we should fund social services to work in conjunction with law enforcement and there should be an effort at targeting recidivism.
Q: Some elected officials have proposed a "gas-tax holiday" to ease the burden of rising gasoline prices on county residents. Would you support such a proposal for Cook County? Why or why not?
A: Yes. I would support a "gas -tax holiday" for the simple reason we need some relief from these high gas prices. It is also a reminder that the accumulation of taxes on gasoline is a burden to commuters as well as business owners who rely on transport of goods.