Newspaper Reporter Prepares to Serve on Lake County Board

Jim Newton spent more than a decade diligently covering every Lake County board meeting as a reporter for the Lake County New-Sun. At the Tuesday, March 15 meeting, Newton is expected to join the ranks of the county board after being approved to fill a board vacancy.

“He comes with a wealth of knowledge on county board issues. He doesn’t require any learning curve,” said County Board Chairman David Stolman, who chose Newton to replace Suzi Schmidt as representative of the 3^rd District. Schmidt left the county board after being elected to the state senate. 

Newton admits he may have daydreamed about being part of the county board over the years, but didn’t seriously consider the prospect, until recently.

“The timing is right and I was being supported by some people I respect, so I started to consider it seriously. It seems like probably a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and I’m very excited about it,” Newton said.

Newton, 48, a resident of Lindenhurst, has worked as a reporter for 26 years. He said he’s covered the county board for more than a decade. He plans to leave his newspaper job before being appointed. Newton said the $42,480 county board salary is a lateral move, in financial terms.

“It was a hard decision. It’s been a great 25 years with the News-Sun and 26 years in journalism, but I’m happy and excited and looking forward to serving the community.”

Newton’s appointment is the first item on the agenda. If confirmed, he will take a seat on the county board and begin voting on agenda items. County board members serve dual roles as representatives on the Lake County Forest Preserve District, as well.

Stolman is recommending Newton serve on the Revenue, Records and Legislation Committee; Public Works and Transportation Committee, and Rules Committee.

Stolman said he doesn’t expect any opposition to Newton’s appointment. He said he spoke with every member of the county board when he decided to recommend Newton.

“There was not one negative comment. To the person, everyone I talked to was impressed with his fairness. He brings professionalism to the board,” Stolman said.

The only public opposition appears to come from state Sen. Terry Link, leader of the Democratic Party. According to Link’s assistant, Bill Holland, the senator’s concern revolves around Newton pulling a Democratic ballot in the 2008 primary. His voting record in previous primaries had been Republican.

Holland said Link likes Newton, but is concerned about setting a precedent. When the county board fills a vacancy, it is required that the person appointed is the same party as the person who left.

“If there was a democratic vacancy, (Link) wouldn’t want the chairman of the county board appointing someone without democratic credentials,” Holland said.

Although Newton declined to comment on his voting record, Stolman said he has no concerns about Newton’s party loyalties.

Stolman said he believes Newton was helping a friend by pulling a Democratic ballot that year.

“If I were Terry Link and somebody pulled a Democratic ballot, I’d be thrilled,” Stolman said. “(Newton) is a stalwart Republican. There is no question about it.”

If Newton is appointed on March 15, he will fill out the rest of Schmidt’s term, which runs to 2012. He would then have to run for office.

Newton said it was a premature to consider an election campaign, but if all goes well, he would definitely run for the seat. Regarding local issues, he said he supports the widening of Route 120 and the Route 53 extension.

He said the project to bring Lake Michigan water to inland communities is an important issue and he looks forward to educating the people of the 3^rd district, which encompasses Lake Villa and Lindenhurst, on the issue.