In 2008 I made the decision to run for McHenry County Board because I believed I could make a real difference in local government. I worked very hard to listen to you and your neighbors during the campaign, and made a promise to represent your concerns. Too often it seems that government at every level is interested only in the well-connected and politically powerful. As one of only two Democrats on the 24-member County Board, I feel a special responsibility to make your voice heard. 
I have a simple philosophy: be fair, be effective, and respect the taxpayers. Government can and does work when politicians adhere to that philosophy.
Too often we see the failures of government, and rarely do we hear success stories. It’s discouraging to see the dysfunction in Washington and Springfield, and it’s hard to imagine we can do much to fix those problems in the near term. But at the local level, you and I really can make a difference. Men and women of good will can work together to solve problems and make our county and local governments serve the public effectively.
All of us are being forced to tighten our belts, and local government must learn to do more with less. I know how to balance budgets. The answer is not more taxes, it’s better, smarter government. We must partner with developers, municipalities, state and federal funding sources to attract the kind of economic growth that will broaden our tax base, bring us good-paying jobs, and ensure a diverse, sustainable business environment.
Six years ago I knocked on over 6,000 doors during the campaign, and I worked very hard again in 2012. It’s grueling work, but it’s important work. I’m sure you know there is no substitute for face-to-face contact with voters. There’s also no substitute for grassroots support from people like you. Your financial support will allow me to mount an aggressive campaign and win re-election in 2014.
That’s my goal. I am ready to meet this challenge. I hope you will support my efforts to fight for fair, effective government in McHenry County.