Jacob Carlile - Libertarian for Kankakee County Board

Thank you for all the support and for those that came out to vote.

I wish Tinker Parker and the rest of the Board good luck in the next cycle and hope that they make decisions and policy that is in the best interests of those they represent.

If voted to the Board, this residency issue related to our chairman will be a top priority to ensure that our democratic process remains fair and honest.

We are just a few days away from election day. I encourage everybody to do their civic duty and vote for the candidate you feel best aligns with your values and who is best capable of doing the job.

Local elections, such as County Board have the largest opportunity to affect your life directly though state and federal elections often seem to be where most of the attention is directed.

In these last few days of the election cycle, I want to talk briefly about what I want to accomplish if selected to represent the voters of District 5.

1. All Departments of County government should be evaluated to determine if opportunities exist to reduce cost and increase efficiencies, improving services while offering the most value to tax payers. The Highway Department, Sheriff's Office, Administration, and others need to be looked at under a new lense to find creative opportunities to improve.

2. Move Board Meetings to evenings to better allow public engagement and the opportunity for citizens to be involved in the process.

3. Evaluate the use of ARPA funds and opportunities to offset existing expenditures and programs resulting in tax reductions to citizens.

4. Reinstate the responsibilities and fully incorporate the elected Office of the Auditor into County government processes as a means of protecting the taxpayers interests.

5. Ensure safety of our citizens in the face of new State laws which I feel makes our citizens less safe.

6. Scrutinize and investigate possible government fraud related to Districting and residency of elected officials including those who have failed to ensure the representative nature of our board is intact and honest.

7. Identify opportunities to improve compliance with accessibility of our historic courthouse, evaluate the ability to move non-criminal cases to an alternative location to ease crowding, and work with the courts to determine the best and most efficient opportunities to ensure all required infrastructure meets our citizens needs into the future.

8. Pass a requirement that all County Government expenditures to outside vendors must give preferential consideration to locally owned and operated businesses

These are the items I feel are most important and I'm asking for your vote on Tuesday.

- Jacob Carlile

County Board: 3 vying for District 5 seat There are six County Board seats out of the 28 districts that will be contested during the Nov. 8 general election. There are three candidates vying for the District 5

Do you know anybody living in District 5? Please help to spread the word and support.

I appreciate everybody that has told me they will vote for me. Kankakee County Board is not an at large voting system, so you must live in the district to vote for me.

I continue to appreciate everybody's support and encouragement.

I have been sounding the alarm for more than 4 years, and if elected to the County Board will continue to work for and advocate on behalf of the taxpayer.

Does having more units of government equate to higher quality of life for tax payers? I don't believe so, and I think Illinois in general is proof that these two dynamics are not parallel.

Illinois ranks number one in the quantity of local taxing bodies. In a report by Open Policy dated 2014, Illinois had 6,963 units of local government. A Daily Journal article from 2021 increased that number to 8,923. Kankakee County is not an exception, based on our Treasurer's webpage there are nearly 200 taxing districts in the County.

All taxing bodies are required to fund their operations, meaning a portion of each dollar collected results in a reduced amount of perceived value to tax payers. These overhead costs include capital infrastructure like buildings, equipment, administration, salaries, etc. Money that isn't spent directly on operations or improvements.

It is my belief that tax payers should get the biggest bang for their buck, and paying additional administrators, departments, or other overhead costs is not the way to achieve that goal.

The Kankakee County Board has 28 elected members. Cook County has only 17. In 2021, the County Board under Republican control defeated an attempt to consolidate the number of Board Districts down to 20 following a non-binding advisory vote that 54% of our County supported. Tinker Parker, the incumbent in District 5 agreed with the vote to keep our County Board bloated.

But it isn't just the Elected County Board. Kankakee County maintains 17 Townships to primarily oversee roadway maintenance. Some of these Townships maintain very minimal amounts of roadway. Kankakee Township maintains only 13 miles of roadway at a 2018 cost of $605,000 according to a Daily Journal. That's $46,000 per mile, and that's just the perceived value to tax payers and does not represent administration costs to keep the Township's operation funded.

Consolidation means more perceived value to tax payers.

There are numerous areas where adjustments and improvements to how we operate would open opportunities to either more perceived value to tax payers or a reduction in tax rate. These adjustments have been authorized and approved by the State of Illinois, and the only thing holding back increasing quality of life for taxpayers is our current County Board's status quo.

I support streamlining and finding efficiencies within the County Board's realm of authority with the intent of providing a better service and/or lower cost to tax payers. If elected, I will be sure to ensure that County Government is providing the best services at the fairest cost... after all, you're expected to do that with your budget.

Campaign signage is starting to go up. If you want a yard sign, and live in District 5, please message me.

A preview of our campaign billboard which will start running on Route 17 East in October.

As we grill out, spend time with family and friends, let's remember as we celebrate our Country's independence that it was gained through bravery and agony.

I truly believe the Founding Fathers were far ahead of their time in crafting a Republic that has stood the test of time and I see a bright future for our Country.

Most of us are not on the fringe, but part of the silent majority. Let's continue to advocate for common sense and logical minimal government as the founders envisioned.

Inflation is the economy's way of saying there is no such thing as free money.

It was just about time to start talking platform. Many people have asked why I am running for office, do I have certain objectives or desired changes?

I suppose now is a good time to start talking specifics, especially considering this article run by the Journal.

In an effort to be short and concise, I will provide the abbreviated version of the issue I have with the Boards continued support to oust the elected Auditor's responsibilities.

All levels of government are intended to be checked and balanced. The Office of the Auditor is a separate elected office intended to provide oversight of County finances on behalf of the taxpayer. Though the funding for the office comes from the Board, the authority and responsibility for auditing lays with the Auditor's Office elected by the voters.

Sometime ago, a previous Board made the terrible decision of creating a Finance Department under the control of the Board and appointing the then Auditor as director. This decision essentially transferred the independent oversight, and much of the independent checks, to an employee working at the will of the Board. With this change, a serious question regarding loyalty exists.

Years followed, and the Auditor collected a check and did little to ensure the oversight as the tax payers intended. When Mr. Lee was elected, he pushed to reinstate the authority and responsibility of the office. This effort was not accepted by the Board, and we now find ourselves (the tax payers) funding attorneys to defend the Board against the Auditor's lawsuit.

I am not privy to the Board's desire or rational for hallowing out the Auditor's Office or their fight against his reinstating his
responsibilities. The lawsuit is mainly based upon various interpretations of what State Law says regarding the County Auditor Office, interpretations that clearly are not easily deciphered.

The point, the Office of the Auditor is at it's root a mechanism for checks-and-balances, and why anybody would oppose that authority is suspect.

If elected to the Board, I will work to ensure that the Office of the Auditor is returned the authority, responsibility, and ability to protect the tax payers interest.

County auditor's attendance questioned The attendance of Kankakee County Auditor Jake Lee was questioned by county board members during the organization’s Finance Committee meeting.

Mailers are printing and first round going out to District 5 in the coming weeks.

What are my values? Who am I? Let me introduce myself!

Show your support! Order a yard sign and let your neighbors know you make great voting decisions.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1m2ixzhCSAOQHD4mJ_Dg_JrNylLrt-lYVwXq_cjfl7Aw/edit?usp=sharing

A very happy Easter to all. I hope everybody is able to spend some time with family and loved ones and embrace the people that are most important in your lives.

New Logo. Check!

It's official. Now, it's my honor to continue speaking with constituents about ideas, concerns, and problem solving County issues. Most importantly, talking to voters about the damage done in a two party system.

The majority of voters are not ultra right or fringe left, but are common sense Americans who desire a representative minimal government that is capable of working in their best interest without coming second to political party ambitions.

Libertarianism is a blend of primarily conservative fiscal concepts while supporting individualism over collectivism related to social moderacy.

Candidates file for county offices As the deadline passed Monday for candidates to file for county offices, several contested primary races came into view for Kankakee County.

Looking for somebody to provide graphic design services for my campaign.

Please message me directly.

Thankful for all that have followed my page, and those that graciously signed my petition for candidacy. My petition was filed with the County Clerk today.

I'm looking forward to the campaign season and meeting and speaking with citizens of our county on how government can best serve you.

I will be announcing a campaign kick-off event shortly and hope you can make it.

I support limited government, including taxation and fees, when that revenue can be proven to provide a direct benefit to those tasked with paying them. Licenses are often an abused regulatory requirement with no inherent benefit to the licensee or the community.

A good example would be a fishing license where the funds generated from the such licenses goes toward stocking lakes and rivers and ensuring the sustainability of the eco-system.

Or, a drivers license, in which the State ensures those operating vehicles have had the proper training and requirements to protect life safety.

Often, these licenses and the associated fees exceed the actual costs to provide these benefits.

Worse however are fees that really serve NO benefit. Imposed simply as a means of generating revenue with no apparent or inherent benefit. These types of government imposed costs should be vehemently opposed. A good example of those types of fees instituted by the City of Kankakee in the below article.

Only government entities would require a cost without the ability to identify what benefit is associated to that cost.

Kankakee creates new liquor license for video gaming cafes In an effort to keep up with the latest trend in gambling, the Kankakee City Council approved a new liquor control license classification — Class V, as in video gaming.

A 10 year trend worthy of disgust.

The two party system has been either tax-and-spend Democrats, or borrow-and-spend Republicans.

It's beyond time a third party offers a different perspective on how to efficiently and effectively administer government at all levels.

Thank you to all the Men and Women who walk daily into potentially life threatening and dangerous situations to keep us safe.

Your hard work, dedication, and sacrifice does not go un-noticed or unappreciated.

Thank you for all the support! To achieve 300+ likes and support in just a week is fantastic.

As we start to move into this campaign season, we will be announcing a Libertarian Party Announcement party very shortly. I hope all of you are able to attend, have a few drinks, eat, and network.

I am looking for volunteers to help canvas, place support signs and of course any donations or talents like graphic design and printing.

Fundraising is an important component of any campaign, lest a uncomfortable task. I anticipate the other parties to heavily fund the race in District 5.

If you are able to donate a few dollars, I would appreciate it. Also please consider a monthly recurring donation. Any amount is helpful.

https://www.k3libertarianparty.org/donate

Donate | Kankakee Libertarian Party Donations help to support our platform and our candidates financial campaigns and reach more voters

Effective in 2022, the County Board has voted to approve this new districting map. I look forward to canvasing District 5 to speak with residents about how we can better the County.