Antonio 'Tony' Colatorti: 2022 candidate for McHenry County Sheriff

Bio

Party: Republican

Office sought: McHenry County Sheriff

City: Algonquin

Age: 51

Occupation: Business Owner/ Retired Chief of Police

Previous offices held: Chief of Police Prairie Grove, Chief of Police Holiday Hills

Q&A

Why are you running for this office? Is there a particular issue that motivates you?

I'm running for Sheriff of McHenry County because Illinois crime is on the rise and I will ensure that Chicago crime stops at the county line. McHenry County needs a sheriff that will support the constitution, someone who cherishes your second and fourth amendment rights, will investigate violations of voter integrity and will protect our parent's right to peacefully address their school boards.

If you are an incumbent, describe two important initiatives you've led. If you're not an incumbent, describe two ways you would contribute to the position.

I bring 25 years of business acumen and 22 years of law enforcement experience, seven of which were as Chief of Police at two McHenry County law police agencies. I am fiscally responsible, have implemented budgets, and kept my business thriving through a recession and pandemic. There's a difference between being one of several members of a command staff versus being the top leader of an agency where the buck stops. These combined experiences will bring a wealth of experience which will keep our citizens safe and will save the taxpayers money.

Are there enough deputies on the street and are they properly deployed? What changes would you make?

We need to better utilize the resources of the sheriff's office. This can be accomplished by focusing on specific activities based on crime trends, and pooling resources within the county to create a task force to target violent crime and criminal enterprises which are targeting the suburbs. These types of task force operations share resources that will lead to highly effective results. Thereby reducing violent and property crimes while saving the taxpayers money. The McHenry County Sheriff needs to be a leader that will bring this type of law enforcement to our county.

What role should the sheriff's department play in dealing with the county's opioid crisis?

My opponent doesn't allow their investigators to further their narcotics investigations that originate outside of the county. My investigators will follow all leads. I won't stop my investigators while criminals are targeting and killing our citizens.

I will work with our state's attorney to ensure that these criminals are prosecuted to the fullest extent. Criminals will know that they are not welcome in McHenry County.

With bail reform and elimination of the ICE contract, the jail is currently at significantly reduced occupancy. Regrettably, my opponent provides almost no professionally run employment or substance abuse counseling services to inmates, missing the opportunity to rehabilitate and provide them with the tools they need for a law-abiding life.

I will seek proposals from substance abuse treatment and job-training organizations to set up in unused parts of the jail for the benefit of inmates at no expense to the taxpayer.