Campaign info

• Position sought: Will County Board, District 4 
• E-mail address: jtraynere@comcast.net
• Website: www.willcountyboard4.com
• Phone: 630-783-0929
• Address: 1109 Jennifer Lane, Bolingbrook 
• Twitter: @jackietraynere
• Facebook: Jackie Traynere for Will County Board

Personal info

• Age: 50
• Family: I have two adult children who reside in the area, my husband Joe and I are now empty nesters.
• Education: I attended Bolingbrook High School and several Junior Colleges for course specific work.
• Occupation: Small business owner, The Cleaning Authority (with 35 employees and 1.2 Million in sales this year).  I also work full time as a labor union organizer with American Federation of Government Employees.
• Political party: Democrat
• Previous elected or appointed offices: Precinct Committeeman, Winston Village Homeowners Association, Alumnae Fundraising Chairperson for Illinois Women’s Institute Leadership, Board members Heritage Corridor Convention and Tourism Board, Advisory Board member Take Back the Night of Northern Will County. 

Is there any additional experience you believe qualifies you for the position? 

I have had 4 years of experience on the board as well as leadership classes offered for county board members.  I have been a resident of Bolingbrook for most of the last 41 years and own a small business in the community.  As a business owner I understand how a bad economy affects us at every level when big Wall Street and corporate interests are left unchecked by our elected officials, I believe I bring a perspective that values fairness, economic strength and a concern for a healthier Will County.

What would your priorities be if elected to this office?

Continue to be a team player and gather opinions from residents of the district in regards to larger agenda items the County is looking at, specifically our long term strategic plan for upgrades to our infrastructure to accommodate the grown within our County.

What sets you apart from the other candidates?  I am a can do person, a real go getter.  I am driven by the desire to serve others in the community.  The old expression, if you need something done, give it to a busy person? Well that describes me perfectly. 

What can the county do to promote job growth and draw new business to Will County?  Continue to keep property taxes as low as possible to create the economic strength needed for a healthy community. Promote education opportunities to build a stronger workforce for 21^st century jobs so that when employers look to move here they see a workforce that can handle their needs. 

Do you believe Cook County is encroaching on Will, and how would you make sure there isn't a negative influence from the city? 

We have had a negative influence in the past due to the lack of a two party system in our county and it was with the 2008 election that the Will County Republicans lost seats on the county board that now make it possible to sustain a veto.  Republicans in Will County want the one party control that they say Cook County has the very kind that they claim will lead to absolute corruption of our county. The Republican Party of Will County has recently taken steps to remove 8 Democratic Party candidates from the ballot from the County Board races, to eliminate the choice and fairness in our upcoming election.   Seems like the pot calling the kettle black if you ask me.  I will continue to seek out qualified candidates and encourage them to run for office as I did this cycle; I will encourage participation of residents in our democratic process and will support organizations with that same mission.  

Should it be Will County or a special commission in charge of a proposed airport? Why, and how would that work?

The airport is within Will County and Will County residents are the ones the will be affected the most by the project, their voice and County should be the primary voice.  The residents would then have a direct way to impact the leaders of the project with their vote; outsiders from other communities would not be as responsive to the residents of Will County. 

All candidates have lauded the current board for work balancing the budget; what more would you do to practice fiscal responsibility?

As we continue to plan to replace aging and out dated infrastructure I would continue to be a voice for buildings that can save us money by being energy efficient and using alternative fuels/energy sources when possible. Also, continuing to eliminate rental property in favor of County owned or public/private buildings that could bring revenue to the County to offset building costs.  On the Forest Preserve Board we are launching the use of I pads in December to eliminate unnecessary and wasteful spending on paper, staff time and postage (this in an initiative that was vocal about on more than one occasion).

Besides Renewing Will County, would you propose any projects related to sustainability in the county? 

If possible I would like to see the County get involved in additional partnerships with the private sector like the one with Waste Management that used landfill gas to create electricity at Prairie View.  I feel that it is important and possible for Will County to help our individual citizens obtain their personal sustainability goals like we are doing for local business.  I would like to see our committee look at those kinds of opportunities. 

What ideas do you have for improving the county's infrastructure and transportation? 

We have completed a “needs analysis” and beginning to implement the strategic plan where it is feasible, cost effective and where we have the most need i.e. courts and sheriff’s department.  Now is a good time to buy and build, interest rates are very low and land is available at low prices.  We have promoted the purchase of electricity for residents and business through the aggregation program, allowing for lower price to be negotiated.

We need to continue to compete for Federal and State grant dollars for road projects.  We partner with many public transportation agencies and we continue to promote programs like “bus on shoulder” which are very important to those who commute to Chicago.  We should continue to lobby for the proposed Illiana Expressway. 

In what ways can the county operate more efficiently and improve technologically? 

We have done much in the four years I have been on the board and we still have projects in the works.  We have approved a plan for energy efficiency that will be implemented in stages and will be completed by the end of 2013.  Our goal to identify and assess the County’s current energy consumption and reduce our carbon footprint will bring savings and help our planet be a healthier place for our residents to live work and play.