2012 Election Profile: Jeff Wehrli

Address: 27 Na-au-say Ct., Oswego, Il. 60654 
Campaign contact information: I do not have a campaign contact site.  
Age: I am 58 years old.
Family: Barb and I have been married 26 yrs. We have 2 children, Casey Crackle (married to Todd in September). She is a Physician Assistant for the Edwards Medical Group in Naperville. And Eric, who is a senior at Marquette University studying Mechanical Engineering. 
Education: I am a 1971 graduate of Naperville Central High School.  

Previous elected or appointed positions:

• 1998 to 2003 Kendall County Plan Commission
• 2003 to present Kendall County Board member
• 2005 to present Chairman of the Public Building Commission
• 2009 to present President of the Kendall County Forest Preserve, and member of the Kendall County Board of Health.  

1)   What can you do to foster economic development in Kendall County? What level of cooperation do you think is necessary with municipalities to accomplish this?

Job creation in Kendall County will take the combined efforts of many entities. Municipalities, being the center of retail growth, still need to have input if the County entertains commercial or industrial endeavors. All taxing bodies need to be involved if the opportunity is available for special tax incentives. It is the County Board's job to orchestrate these opportunities.  

2)   Would you support a 0.75 percent RTA sales tax to locate a Metra stop in Kendall County?

If the only opportunity to get a Metra Station sited in Kendall County is to join the RTA, I would be willing to sit down and listen to the pros and cons. The decision should not be based solely on a possible $.75 sales tax increase.

3)    What lessons did you draw from the dog bite incident and its aftermath? Do you think the changes the county has made at Animal Control are adequate?  

As there has been a lawsuit filed regarding the dog bite incident, I don't feel it is appropriate to comment currently, however I do believe the new warden has done a great job in implementing new programs and policies for Animal Control. I appreciate all the hard work from both the employees and volunteers.

4)    Do you think the redistricting process was fair for people who live in the county’s larger municipalities?

I do believe the redistricting was fair to both incorporated and unincorporated voters. The two districts give ample opportunity for a diverse group of candidates to run for County Board.

5)   Aside from the issues discussed above, what issue or problem do you think the county board should address, and what action would you take if elected/re-elected?

The economic stability of our county will continue to be the most pressing issue for the County Board. From being the fastest growing county in the United States to having one of the highest foreclosure rates in the State of Illinois, our county will need to be managed efficiently and prudently as we work our way out of this recession. I plan to work hard to keep our county financially stable while not overburdening the taxpayers.