News
Tuesday, November 4, 2014
NorthernStar.info H @NIUNorthernStar H 815-753-0105
3
The Associated Press
Election Day 2014
Republican Bruce Rauner (left) and Democrat Gov. Pat Quinn will face off today in Illinois’ gubernatorial race, one of the most contested in the nation. Not pictured is Libertarian candidate Chad Grimm.
Walter Douglas & Jon Lindley Staff Writers
DeKalb | The Northern Star is publishing profiles for local candidates in the General Election. Election Day is today. For more information on elections, go to bit. ly/1uXdoWR.
County Treasurer Name: Christine Johnson Age: 54 College: NIU Goals: As investment officer of DeKalb County, she said she is ensuring the safety and security of county funds, as well as ensuring a good return on investments. Another goal is to make more information available online to the public, such as property tax bills. Why she’s running for the position: She said she has a long history of public service and has been the county treasurer since 1994 with the exception of two years while she was serving in the Illinois Senate. Why she thinks people should vote for her: She said she is always responsive to the needs of citizens, as well as the effective and efficient use of property tax money. Plans to help the county financially: Continue to collect interest on investments made with county funds.
County Clerk Name: Douglas J. Johnson Age: 57 Education: Kishwaukee College Goals: To increase the security of online resources over the County Clerk’s public records, as well as increase election-related technologies to help reduce the cost of elections. Experience: He’s worked for the past 30 years in the county government and is the current county clerk. He has business working in legal documents, experience as an office manager and military service. Why he thinks people should vote for him: He said he is a consistent and stable employee and has worked
in various county offices. Plans to help people be more informed about voter laws and the elections: He presented to DeKalb High School and Kishwaukee College political science classes, as well as various public groups. Name: Trent Taylor Age: 38 Education: Illinois State University Goals: Strive to ensure inclusion of DeKalb County residents through outreach programs, as he said there is a lack of connection between the residents and county government.
and accomplishments.
Plans for improving safety in DeKalb County: He plans on maintaining the Sheriff’s Department services through various budget issues plaguing not only DeKalb County but the state of Illinois as a whole.
County Board District 2 Name: Maureen Little Age: 51 College: Columbia College Hometown: Kingston Goals: She hopes to give a voice to smaller communities. Experience: She was on the Burlington Village Board for three years.
Experience: Fifteen years working in land title insurance offices, which he said is similar to a county clerk’s office.
Why she is running for this position: She enjoyed working for Burlington and enjoyed meeting people and helping them.
Why he thinks people should vote for him: Qualifications
Why she thinks people should vote for her: She wants to give a voice to the smaller communities and wants to make sure every community has fair and equal say.
Plans to help people be more informed about voter laws and the elections: Wants to use his voter outreach plans and hopes to connect with voters through radio, newspapers and social media.
Name: John Noyes Age: 58 College: Received bachelor’s degree from Illinois State University, master’s from Eastern Illinois University Hometown: Genoa
County Board District 3 Name: Riley Oncken Age: 35 College: Bachelor’s from Western Illinois University; law school at NIU Hometown: Sugar Grove Goals: Getting the budget in check and expanding the jail. Why he is running for this position: He said it’s a pleasure to serve the residents of DeKalb County, and he’d like to continue doing so as a County Board member. Experience: Background as a lawyer and previous experience as a County Board member. Why he thinks people should vote for him: He sees his law experience as very beneficial to understanding the functions of the county and county offices. Name: Joshua Orr Age: 35 College: University of IllinoisSpringfield Hometown: Cortland
Name: Roger A. Scott Age: 67 Education: Two years at Kishwaukee College; received his bachelor’s from Aurora College, which is now Aurora University
Goals: He wants everyone to be more knowledgeable of the budget and spending on the County Board.
Goals: Providing support for the DeKalb Enterprise Initiative. Utilizing waste management funding for “constructive projects,” such as mental health services, and helping to expand the county jail.
Experience: He was in education for 36 years as a teacher, coach and an assistant principal.
Why he is running for this position: He said he’ll be a great candidate.
Goals: Completing the DeKalb County Jail expansion project.
Why he is running for this position: He was an American history teacher and told his students to be involved in school whether it was athletics or student council. Now, he feels this is his chance to be involved in the community.
Experience: He’s worked for the Kane County Circuit Clerk’s Office, and is currently a software engineer, which he said gives him a positive view of the private sector.
County Sheriff
Experience: Worked with the sheriff’s office for the past 45 years and has served as the county sheriff for the last 29 years. Why he thinks people should vote for him: Remained consistent as the sheriff, as well as his integrity
Why he thinks people should vote for him: He said experience in education will make him a good County Board member. He said he is knowledgable politically, socially and fiscally.
Why he thinks people should vote for him: He said his experience and leadership skills will help him, along with his focus on policies which benefit the wellbeing of the county.
County Board District 5 Name: Stephen Reid Age: 64 College: NIU Hometown: Oak Lawn, but moved to DeKalb when he was 17 Goals: He wants to educate the public about the government, state and federal level, inform residents of DeKalb’s well being, and show and tell people where their government is lacking. Also, Reid wants schools to do a better job at teaching students about information that will help them later in their lives. Why he is running for this position: He was on the County Board for four years, and wants to give back to DeKalb since it has been his home since 1967. Experience: Reid was a fireman and a paramedic for 30 years and also ran an antique business for 30 years. Why he thinks people should vote for him: He said he is doing his part for the community and cares about the real issues the community is facing. He said he wants to educate the people on who people should vote for in higher-up positions in government to see the changes the people want.
County Board District 6 Name: Bob Brown Age: 65 College: NIU and U of I Hometown: DeKalb Goals: He said he would like to see an enterprise zone in DeKalb, trim the budget and monitor landfills as far as waste management. Experience: He said he worked in higher development and agriculture with DeKalb Genetics Corporation. Worked with Alumni Association. Why he is running for this position: He said he wanted to help his community and said he is very knowledgeable about District 6. Why he thinks people should vote for him: He said he has four years of experience already and he brings diverse options to solve problems.