Will County Board District 12 Candidate: JoAnne Hamilton-Gunkel

MOKENA, IL — Mokena resident and Democrat JoAnne Hamilton-Gunkel is running for Will County board member for District 12. On the ballot, you will be able to vote for two candidates, and there are four candidates running for the position: Hamilton-Gunkel, Tom Weigel, Raymond Tuminello and Erin Moncek.

You can find Hamilton-Gunkel's answers to the Patch candidate questionnaire below:

Name

JoAnne Hamilton-Gunkel

Age (as of Election Day)

64

Town/City of Residence

Mokena

Office Sought

County office

Party Affiliation

Democratic

Family

My husband Gary is a Family Practice Dentist in Orland Park. Our son Matthew works for the Illinois State Department of Public Health as a Clinical Laboratory Technologist in Carbondale
Our daughter Lyndsay is an attorney serving as Global Assistant General Counsel for Fieldglass- SAP, Chicago

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

My son works for the state in the Department of Public Health.

Education

B.S. in Environmental Science; Cook College, Rutgers University; New Brunswick, New Jersey, 1977

M.A. in Educational Leadership, St. Xavier University, Chicago 2001

Occupation

Science teacher- High School, nine years
Mother McAuley High School, Oak Lawn High School, Substitute Teacher District 230

Middle School - 27 years
Kirby School District 140 -Virgil Grissom Middle School, Tinley Park

Campaign website

joanneforwillcounty.com

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

None

The single most pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

The most pressing issue will be to continue to provide needed services to all of the citizens of Will County, while keeping the county financially responsible. The county has been able to expand its services, while reducing its tax rate for the last five years. If elected, I will work to continue this trend.

I believe it will be my duty to be fully informed on all the issues that impact our communities and district, and to act in the best interest of the residents of Mokena and New Lenox.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

I am a woman running as a dedicated member and supporter of the Democratic party and its values.

I believe government must serve all people; I believe by acting environmentally and educationally responsible we ensure Will County will continue to be a place young people want to live, work and raise their families for years to come.

I feel my role as a teacher has prepared me exceptionally well for being a member of the county board. Over my long teaching career, I have worked with many different professionals on numerous educational teams and have learned first-hand how complex problems are discussed, debated and solved.

Also, Mokena residents have not had an elected board representative for many years; I would be honored to be a voice for our community.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

I was elected by my local and region union members to serve on behalf of them in many different positions for our union, the Illinois Education Association. I understood the level of trust and due diligence bestowed upon me and always acted in the best interest of my members in all my many capacities.

Is there any reason you would not serve your full term of office, other than those of health or family?

No

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I am a 30-year resident of Mokena; I am an open-minded individual and have been an active community leader.