Jolyn Daugherty: 2022 candidate for Lake County Board District 11
Bio
Party: Republican
Office sought: Lake County Board District 11
City: Highland Park
Age:
Occupation: financial services, software, and fraud / risk mgt
Previous offices held: n/a
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?
A: I decided to run for Lake County Board, after experiencing increases in taxes over the years, more proposed when we already have the 2nd highest property taxes and 2nd highest gas taxes in the country, and following the 2020 government shut down of our schools, businesses, discrimination, and other negative impacts.
Q: 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?
A: My priority would be to end the first ever Lake Co gas tax passed in 2021 (we didn't have one prior), and try to find ways to rein in the property taxes (which are the 2nd highest in the country). I bring years of financial services, software, and fraud / risk management experience. Over the years, I have helped businesses to reduce unnecessary expenses, vendors, costs, and negotiate contracts. To make their business more efficient. I've also helped to identify fraud, risk, or security issues to address them with solutions. Based on what I've seen, the government could use my skills, especially in Illinois!
Q: Given the recent history of flat tax levies, do you think the county/forest preserve have done good jobs of budgeting or do you see specific area that can be improved?
A: There is room for improvement. The FY22 budget has a 7.85% increase, underfunded debt servicing, underfunded pensions, and no CPI increases when we have inflation. This just makes these underfunded issues worse over time. My opponent is chair of the finance committee. The first ever Lake Co gas tax passed in 2021 was a direct result of non-resident influences over him, which has cost taxpayers over $10M - $25M (budgeted) in just 1 year. He also did not fund the VAC veteran's organization. VAC filed a lawsuit against him, and got the state legislature to do a bill for a tax levy. He should have done the right thing to support and budget for veterans. Do you really want a lobbyist controlling Lake County?
Q: Would you support putting a referendum on the ballot for voters to decide if they wish to issue new bonds to preserve open spaces, restore habitats, create more trails and upgrade forest preserves?
A: It depends. First, I'd like to do an analysis on where the money has been spent, reduce wasteful spending, and if there are funds that could be utilized better. I'd prefer not to raise taxes, but to find ways to make the money Lake Co already has, utilized more efficiently and effectively. Forest Preserves, green spaces, and habitats are import to protect, so I'd like to ask my constituents for feedback too.
Q: What is the single most important issue facing your district and how should the county address it?
A: I believe the most important current issues are our economy, inflation, education, and crime. To address them we need to make Lake Co more business friendly to create more jobs or keep the jobs, deregulate, hedge against inflation, give parents school choice, and work with IL legislature to repeal the Safe-T Act which takes effect 1/2023. The Lake Co Board Democrats and Sherriff Idelburg (only 2 Sheriffs out of 102 IL counties) are supporting the dangerous Safe-T Act, which will release most arrested from jail, and force law enforcement to only ticket and not arrest/hold others charged with second degree murder, battery, kidnapping, burglary, arson, and etc. It also ends the trespassing law. States Attorney Eric Reinhart has already released 2 murders on just burglary charges! I have experience working with the IL legislature from working for a State Senator years ago.
Q: Lake County officials want public feedback on how to spend portions of some $135 million in leftover federal pandemic funding. What are your thoughts on how the money ought to be spent?
A: As of 9/13/2022, there is only about $45M left of the ARPA funds. I would like to better understand where the greatest needs are in Lake Co first, and hear from taxpayers prior to any decision. To make the money go further, it would be wise to invest it to generate more funds in the meantime.