Brown Picked To Replace Lawlor On Ballot For Lake County Board

VERNON HILLS, IL — Karimar "Kari" Brown was appointed the Republican nominee on the November ballot for the Lake County Board's 18th District. She was picked unanimously by precinct committeemen after being nominated by her husband, a former Chicago Bears player and local precinct committeeman, according to Lake County Republican Central Committee.

Born and raised in Puerto Rico, Brown graduated the University of Florida, Gainesville and moved to Vernon Hills in 2002 with her husband, former Chicago Bears defensive end Alex Brown, after he was drafted into the NFL, according to a release. The couple has four children between the ages of 1 and 16 and owns a volleyball team in Puerto Rico, the Indios de Mayagüez.

The nomination replaces Lake County Board Chair Aaron Lawlor, who announced earlier this month he would not be running for a fourth term after treatment for a drug addiction and an independent investigation into his use of a county-issued credit card. Party leaders had to announce a replacement before Aug. 23 in order to get a new name on the ballot.

Brown, an avid long-distance runner, said she looks forward to knocking on doors and introducing herself to new families over the next couple months. She said she would be focused on ensuring the efficiency of county government.

“I am excited to have this opportunity to expand my public service to Lake County. I am very concerned that the ever increasing taxes – specifically, property taxes, are driving families across the border into Wisconsin," Brown said. "When I am elected I will fight to cut property taxes, as I believe that no family should be paying 2, 3 or 4 percent of their home’s value in property taxes every single year."

Brown was recently awarded the District 128 "Difference Maker Award" and has spent thousands of hours volunteering in the community, according to the release, including fundraisers with other Chicago Bears players and families for local special education districts as well as collecting and donating supplies to help victims of hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico.

Lake County Republican County Chairman Mark Shaw said Brown would be an incredible voice on the board for local residents as an accomplished businesswoman and family-oriented community volunteer.

"The Lake County Republican Party’s leadership is extremely proud of Kari’s experience, education and leadership and looks forward to working with her as she brings her diverse life experiences and talents to bear in working for the interests of the residents of District 18 on the Lake County Board," Shaw said.

The 18th District includes all or parts of Hawthorn Woods, Indian Creek, Long Grove, Mundelein and Vernon Hills.

Today's D128 Difference Makers are Alex and Karimar Brown who were researched and nominated by VHHS students Joseph Reyes and Francis Gorham. Learn more about the Browns in the slide below and at the following video: https://t.co/qaGSRSpczi pic.twitter.com/1ScS1pp8hb
— District 128 (@District128) June 18, 2018

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