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Political affiliation: Green Party

City: Chicago

Marital status: Single

Occupation/Firm name: Educational Consultant

Campaign HQ address: 5644 W. Division

Campaign website: lawless2010.com

What is your campaign budget- $100,000

If elected, what would be your immediate priorities in office-

Transparency in county finances and operations is urgently needed by the public. As a priority, I would ask for (a) staff in each office to provide a comprehensive review of all services and activities including a detailed assessment of all revenue sources and uses (b) community and professional organizations to comprehensively review all operations in each office and service area and (c) establish a new method for including local and neighboring government units to become involved in routine planning activities.

We must understand (a) how to evaluate, improve and reorganize existing services (b) coordinate with local governments, non profits and professional groups and (c) improve services and contracting opportunities for county businesses with special concern for small and minority companies.

Once the reviews are completed, then the findings must be made available and residents must be engaged in planning to improve services. As commissioner, I would facilitate community input to various planning recommendations. Then I would work with other units of government to improve coordination and planning. For example, the Appleseed Fund for Justice has prepared a comprehensive review of our court system. It makes comprehensive recommendations for policy setting, planning and operations at the state and local levels. It additionally points to improvements in hiring and operations. As commissioner, I would work with other elected officials to implement meaningful and needed reforms.

The Cook County Board recently rolled back the sales tax increase by a half penny. Do you favor a further roll back of another half cent-

Yes I support rolling back the sales tax another half cent. However, we must understand how these funds are used now.

Our county faces a continuing economic crisis. Reliance on sales and property taxes to fund the needs of county residents is unreasonable. We must plan to roll back additional taxes by operating county programs and services more efficiently. This starts with considering all options for reviewing and reorganization government services.

Most importantly, we must develop entirely new sources of revenues that do not impact working people so dramatically. For example, a one tenth of one percent transaction tax on speculative trading could generate millions and should be used to offset regressive sales and property taxes while funding basic health and safety services for residents.

A transaction tax on speculative trading could also serve to fund our underfunded pension system. This obligation has as much impact on the health of the county finance as on-going increased costs for healthcare.

Given the tough economic times, where would you trim back county government- Be as specific as possible, naming departments and programs.

First and foremost, we must have accurate information about current programs and how they operate. For example, in its first year, the Cook County Health and Hospitals Systems (CCHHS) achieved considerable reductions in cost while maintaining day-to-day operations. Their strategic plan points out disproportionate health care needs for much of my district, a concern and observation I have shared for many years.

Similarly, the Chicago Appleseed Fund for Justice has noted that our court system is the de facto community mental health system in the county. It has recommended an independent oversight commission to serve a function similar to that of CCHHS. It is the job of the commissioners to accept and review such information, assuring that the needs and interests of residents are taken into account in the most efficient and professional manner.

A related problem is abuse of externally funded programs. A recent Sun-Times article described abuses of the American Dream Downpayment Initiative, a federally funded homebuyers assistance program for first-time homebuyers with moderate incomes. Some county employees abused this program for self-gain. Such abuses divert money from deserving residents. Employees who abuse such programs should be terminated.

If elected or re-elected, would you prohibit members of your government staff from contributing to your campaign- Explain.

Yes, I would. Such contribution suggests a patronage system. Another concern is the perception that services and jobs are for sale. These are pervasive problems. These are reasons why such contributions must be prohibited throughout county government.

Cook County government has a negative reputation when it comes to cooperating with the federal court-appointed monitor to oversee hiring. What will you do, if anything, to improve that relationship- Do you believe a federal monitor is necessary- What will you do to improve the hiring process in Cook County-

Compliance and cooperation with federal monitors is essential. I would demand it at every step.

It is crucial that commissioners demand full and complete cooperation of county staff with federal monitors in all aspects of operations, and not just hiring. This goes for the Juvenile Detention Center, the Sheriff's deputies and the Forest Preserve operations, among others.

As commissioner, I would demand regular and public reports on all aspects of federal monitoring of county operations, including hiring and finances. Many units of county government have been affected by political interference with fair and objective hiring and promotion practices. It is unfortunate that we must have federal monitoring. But with the persistence of corruption in Illinois government, I take seriously the responsibility to protect the taxpayer's from further corruption.

The other five counties in the Chicago region have raised more than $1.1 billion in the last 10 years to acquire land for their forest preserves while Cook County has never pursued a land acquisition referendum. Would you be committed to a land acquisition plan for Cook County's forest preserves-

I would certainly commit to a land acquisition plan for the Forest Preserve District of Cook County. However, any plan adopted by the Board must include public input and consultation with interested organizations representing local communities, users and advocate groups.

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The first step in developing such a plan is to freeze current land disposition practices. Now we lose valuable and sensitive ecosystems. Maintaining such areas is the prime goal of the District.

What kind of job do you think the independent Cook County health systems board is doing so far- What do you think of its plan to restructure the county's health care system-

The board has implemented operational improvements noticed by Fantus Clinic users and others. The board's operational savings have been dramatic. The board's 5-year strategic plan is an excellent place for commissioners and the public to begin planning and organizing for our future health care needs.

What ethics measures have you sponsored or voted for in the past- If elected or re-elected, what new ethics reforms would you support-

Ethics policies should be developed for both commissioners and employees. First and foremost, hiring based on gifts or political favors for commissioners must be completely prohibited. Commissioners should be required to make public all dealings with those doing business with or otherwise contracting with any government unit in the county.

Finally, commissioners must recuse themselves from any dealings that may have the appearance of impropriety. Public trust in elected officials can only be restored when services and jobs are not seen as "for sale" or based on connections.

Do you support the proposed forest preserve stormwater management policy, which would regulate how stormwater flows into the forest preserves-

Recent flooding affected many areas in my district. This calls for improved flood control measures. I fully support a stormwater management policy that carefully manages inflow and takes into account the effects of stormwater on the ecosystem overall. The District should be commended on taking steps to bring such measures to public consideration.

As commissioner, one of my jobs is to find the best solutions that serve all the residents of the County while taking into account the needs of each community and our limited resources.

List your educational background

BA (Communication) Columbia College; MS (Education) Northern Illinois University

Please list civic, professional, fraternal or other organizations to which you belong

Oak Park River Forest League of Women Voter member; Cook County Lyon member; West Suburban Hospital Community Advisory Board

Have you held elective or appointive political office or been employed by any branch of government-

I was employed by Illinois State Board of Education for the past 18 years,

Please list jobs or contracts you, members of your immediate family or business partners have had with government

None

Name your five biggest campaign contributors and the amount they contributed

Our campaign depends on everyday citizens. $100 is the largest contribution we have received as of this date. Our campaign is centered on citizens to provide the resources to reach voters with our message of a real alternative.

We want to be responsible not to large donors but to the voters of the district, assuring a clear opportunity to participate in planning and directing how county services are selected, funded and delivered.

Please paste a brief biography here

Biography

Ronald Lawless has devoted both his personal and professional efforts to working with others to improve the community. He feels it is important to inform and involve citizens in every aspect of community affairs.

Lawless serves as a member of several organizations: West Suburban Hospital's Ethics Committee, the Oak Park River Forest League of Women Voters, the Cook County Lions Club and Healthcare Now, a nonprofit organization fighting for universal healthcare. A staunch supporter of greater parental involvement in both Chicago and suburban schools, Lawless worked with the University of Illinois in Champaign, the Academic Development Institute in Lincoln, Il., and the Illinois State Board of Education in providing the first statewide parent involvement website at Illinoisparents.org. In August, Lawless also will partner with Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy in Aurora, IL to establish higher educational opportunities for inner city students.

Lawless is a proponent of universal healthcare and more direct funding to schools so that principals can design their curricula in support of their school's needs and not the needs of a school district. Lawless supports legislation that would create a parents' bill of rights.

Lawless has a distinct vision for the Cook County government. As the future commissioner, Lawless would like to achieve long-term community investment and sustainable urban development with a strong focus on resident training and hiring. #Comments_Container, #Comments_Container1,#commentsonly,.StoryInteract{display:none;}