The Public Investigator

POWER SOURCE REPORT: County Board District 4

C. Peterson, P.I. — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 19:34:45 +0000

Under the light: Individual contributions to the campaign fund of Lake County Board member Brent Paxton of Zion

Why this news is important to you: Money buys influence in privately-funded elections. To cast informed votes for public servants, taxpayers need to know what special interests and corporations are bankrolling the campaigns of candidates for public office.

For Paxton, nothing to report — yet

From Jan. 1, 2008, through June 30, 2009, there has been no activity reported in the campaign fund of Lake County Board member Brent Paxton of Zion. The lack of activity begs the question: With his current term expiring next year, is the County Board’s current finance chairman going to run for reelection?

Paxton confirmed to The Public Investigator that he will seek reelection in 2010, adding that the lack activity in his campaign fund up to this point is primarily the result of his distaste for political fund raising.

He said that in the past, he’s returned checks for as much as $1,000 to individual supporters because he wanted to avoid the perception of being influenced by contributors. This time around, however, he said he might have to reconsider that practice, as County Board elections have all become more competitive due to the rise of the opposition Democratic party. Several Democrats well-funded by unions and other political special interests defeated Republican incumbents in the previous election, leaving Republicans with a slim 13-10 majority on the board.

In another instance, Paxton said he returned a check from a Rosemont engineering firm that recently was awarded a road project design contract for Lake County. That same firm showed up as a contributor to County Board Chairman Suzi Schmidt, as reported by The Public Investigator earlier this week.

Facing probable Democratic opponents next fall, Paxton indicated he might have to start accepting some of these contributions and risk the negative perception that they have bought influence in government business.

The perception of influence peddling is one of the natural consequences of privately-financed election systems. In most instances, it’s merely an inaccurate perception; in some cases, it’s the truth. Only in extremely rare instances is the perception proven true.

Sparks fly on newbie County Board appointment

C. Peterson, P.I. — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 00:26:56 +0000

PUBLIC INVESTIGATOR EXCLUSIVE: Old-guard democrats on the Lake County Board are charging Chairman Suzi Schmidt with playing politics in not choosing their endorsed selection to fill Robert Sabonjian’s former seat. Read on to find out who got passed over and why, and who got the appointment and why.

Country’s debt to old soldiers does not fade away

C. Peterson, P.I. — Tue, 19 May 2009 19:35:06 +0000

NEWS ALERT: Lake County’s Veterans’ Assistance Commission provides services to indigent vets literally to their graves. Read on to find out how the county provides old soldiers with basic health services and proper burials.

Team defense in economic crisis

C. Peterson, P.I. — Sat, 16 May 2009 15:15:27 +0000

NEWS ALERT: Lake County’s balanced budget is getting sheltered by both management and staff during the current economic storm. Read on to find out what counter measures are being taken to absorb the recession’s hard hits.

Green government lowers taxes

C. Peterson, P.I. — Thu, 14 May 2009 19:27:50 +0000

NEWS ALERT: Even excluding environmental benefits, when governments go green they serve their taxpayers well by reducing operating costs and providing services. Read on to find out about a classic example in Lake County.

Political smoldering potato

C. Peterson, P.I. — Tue, 12 May 2009 23:11:30 +0000

NEWS ALERT: Democrats on the Lake County Board say the Republican majority is downplaying the impact of economic stimulus funding from the federal government. Read on for more details of that charge and the candid response of Chairman Suzi Schmidt, who did not deny the characterization.

Resurfacing pothole patches

C. Peterson, P.I. — Mon, 11 May 2009 17:39:27 +0000

ROAD WORK ALERT: Following a season of abnormal weather that caused an unusually high number of potholes, Lake County will pay nearly $906,000 for hot-mix asphalt removal and pavement resurfacing on several county roads. Read on to see if any of your nearby roads are on the repair list.

Better flu reporting enhances public safety

C. Peterson, P.I. — Tue, 05 May 2009 00:59:04 +0000

SWINE FLU UPDATE: One suspected case in Lake County is seasonal flu, while another remains as probable swine flu. Read on to find out where each one is, as county officials have started identifying specific locations and details on flu reports.

Support on Chain O’ Lakes bridge is breaking down

C. Peterson, P.I. — Tue, 05 May 2009 00:28:35 +0000

ROAD BRIDGE REPAIR ALERT: Voids and cracks have been discovered in the walls of the Grass Lake Road bridge. Read on to find out the status of the situation and how much the project will cost.

New New Deal jobs funding for new economic crisis

C. Peterson, P.I. — Sat, 02 May 2009 20:34:45 +0000

GRANT ALERT: Lake County has accepted stimulus grant funding to stimulate the local job market. Read on to find out what programs will get funded and how much is allocated to each.