Candidate Policy Priorities

Housing and Property Tax Relief Dominate State House Race

State House candidates Maria Peterson and Erica Bray Parker both zeroed in on the cost-of-living crisis facing Illinois families. Shaw Local reports Peterson backs state funding for public education to cut reliance on local property taxes, plus giving voters another shot at a graduated-rate "Fair Tax" designed to help working- and middle-class families.

Parker takes a collaborative approach. She wants municipalities, county officials, state leaders, developers and homeowners working together to boost affordable housing. She also backs state action to help vulnerable residents hit by federal SNAP benefit cuts.

1 source

County Boards Push Public Safety and Shared Services

Kendall County Board candidate Matthew Kellogg is pitching shared services as a money-saver while prioritizing public safety, health and roads. He also plans to revisit district representation after the 2030 census to account for county growth while keeping rural communities heard.

Kankakee County Board candidate Chad Miller emphasizes quality of life and sound fiscal management. Shaw Local notes Miller chairs the Kankakee County Regional Planning Commission since 2004 and serves on the Finance Committee, bringing years of budget experience to the race.

1 source

Mental Health Response Gets Fresh Focus in Sheriff's Race

Kendall County sheriff candidate Bobby Richardson is centering his pitch on community engagement and deputy recruitment. He wants to beef up responses to mental-health crises with a new countywide mental-health response team.

The mental-health emphasis reflects a broader county push. Kendall County Board candidates are also spotlighting health services and public safety as top priorities in their platforms.

Kane County Democrats Battle Over Data Centers and Taxes

Kane County Board candidates are divided on how to handle data centers booming across the region. District 9 Democrat Marc Guttke says data centers need tighter rules—companies should pay more taxes and prove their water and pollution impact won't harm communities. District 5 candidate Philip Silagi calls for fairer taxation countywide and strict county oversight to shield residents from rising energy costs.

Meanwhile, District 19 incumbent Mohammad Iqbal is pushing open-space preservation, property-tax restraint and transportation fixes. He backs expanding the Randall Road/I-90 interchange bridge to ease traffic.

McHenry County Treasurer Race Centers on Cutting Costs

Republican incumbent Donna Kurtz is banking on investment income and taxpayer outreach to trim costs and help residents save. Shaw Local reports other candidates in the race have raised concerns about county-government misconduct, signaling a broader accountability push.

1 source