Name: Jarett Sanchez

Position for which you are a candidate: Kane County Board District 24

 

Why are you seeking this position?

I’m seeking re-election to this position because I enjoy the work. It allows me to utilize multiple skills like creative thinking and problem solving that many types of work do not offer. There’s never a dull day at the county. There are still things ongoing that I want to see through and others that I want to promote more, such as our efforts at increasing local food production.

I started out as a citizen activist and I still carry that spirit with me, and what better way to be an activist than to be an actual part of the governmental process? It has been an honor to serve in this position and I feel like there’s always more to learn no matter how long you’re there.

And finally, another reason I’m running is because of the positive feedback from colleagues and constituents about the work that I do, and that is really how I know if I’m doing a good job or not. Without that feedback I might not be so encouraged to continue in this office, so I’m grateful that the work I’ve done has been received well and I’m excited to keep going for another two years.

 

What experience and background do you have which qualifies you for this position?

I’ve been in this position for over five years. I have learned so much about how the county works and I’ve had the fortune of serving with and learning from some very intelligent and competent people.

I’m the chairman of the Public Health Committee and as such I have worked directly with the Health Department early in 2021 to create our mass vaccination program. I was personally involved in opening up a vax site in Carpentersville at the Springhill Mall and during the first six months of vaccine deployment I worked weekly with an outside marketing firm that we hired to improve the messaging and public perception of the health department. Every effort was successful.

I am also chairman of the American Rescue Plan Committee which is charged with recommending how the county spends $103M in COVID relief money. I initiated discussion on creating a $4M Community Support Grant Program for mental health nonprofits and ensured that homeless shelters and food pantries were included. We have $42M in department projects in the works, much of which is going out directly to the community.

Not counting my board experience, the skillset I had coming into this office has probably helped me the most. I’ve faced political challenges, difficult meetings, and oversight of a vaccine program during a pandemic. Time and again I’ve had colleagues comment on how well I stay cool under pressure. This comes directly from my previous training and is what keeps me grounded and centered through everything.

 

What will be your highest priorities if elected?

Being involved in the budget process is important to me. I’ve worked to inform residents about fiscal pressures the county faces (which are great) and learned how to work together with elected officials on their budgets (we do not have direct control over how much they request in their budgets). Currently I am leading the call for the board to lobby against the negative impacts of the recent SAFE-T Act legislation which is projected to add $20M+ per year to the county budget.

The ongoing work in my two committees will still be a high priority to me even if I don’t continue to serve as chairman of either.

I work very well with the Exec. Director of the Health Department and we have plans to enhance the health of our county by focusing on leading causes of death, such as heart disease. We’re going to promote more exercise and nutrition programming as part of that effort to help residents reduce chronic diseases, especially in minority communities. The Health Department is largely grant funded so we will be pursuing any and all funding opportunities to enhance our programing because that is what government should do for its citizens when it can.

The American Rescue Plan Committee work still has a way to go as we see department projects through and to figure out how to spend the remaining $25-$30M that is unallocated.

And also, I want to promote and continue supporting the great work we’re doing to bolster the local food industry. Everybody has to eat!

 

 

 

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