Will County District 12 Board Members Ready to Stay the Course

Tom Weigel, an eight-year veteran of the Will County Board, and the newly-elected Margo McDermed, said Wednesday that they are looking to stay the conservative spending course that the board has exercised. However, both agreed that attracting new business and infrastructure improvements will mark their efforts moving forward.

Weigel, who chairs the County's Land Use and Development Committee along with the Forest Preserve Finance Committee, said the numbers revealed bipartisan support for the multiple projects he supported or ushered in over the last several years, such as conservation programs along with the identification of federal grant money, he said.

Weigel garnered over 35 percent of total votes cast in the race for District 12, and McDermed grabbed over 30 percent.

McDermed, who has served as Frankfort Township clerk for the past 4.5 years, said she is looking to apply her extensive business and budget management expertise as she takes her seat on the board. Sometime between now and the Dec. 3 swearing-in ceremony for the county board, she'll officially resign from her role for Frankfort Township.

"I've got to get my desk together," she said.

Speaking of the race, Weigel expressed his appreciation for the voters and his campaign workers. "It was a good, hard-fought race."

In a video of the Will County Board Candidates forum prepared by New Lenox Chamber of Commerce, Weigel said, "I believe in conservative values." He went onto to discuss ways in which the county could tap other resources and save money.

McDermed emphasized that her working philosophy would be "living within our means" and spending wisely.  

The two share the same focus on priorities, especially infrastructure improvements and business development. McDermed highlighted the area's multiple advantages, including easy access to Interstate highways, trains and waterways.

At the same time, she's looking to build in job opportunities and growth by training the labor force for the kinds of specialized jobs available. Computer training is an across-the-board necessity, she added. A certain technical expertise is needed to perform warehouse jobs and the like.        

Weigel and McDermed beat out Democratic challengers from Mokena, Santino Lettieri and John Sanchez Jr., who both joined the race following the March primary. In March, the two defeated New Lenox Village Trustee Ray Tuminello and Lincoln-Way school board member Chris Kosel.

In a video of the Will County Board Candidates forum prepared by New Lenox Chamber of Commerce, Weigel said, "I believe in conservative values." He went onto to discuss ways in which the county could tap other resources and save money.

McDermed emphasized that her working philosophy would be "living within our means" and spending wisely.  

Read about other Election Night wins.

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