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Hopefuls Tackle Traffic 62nd District Candidates Say State Money is Needed for Roads

Posted on: Tuesday, 14 March 2006, 21:00 CST

By Mike Riopell Daily Herald Staff Writer

Both Republican candidates in the state House 62nd District say they want to battle Lake County's traffic by directing state money toward road projects.

College of Lake County Trustee Barbara Oilschlager of Grayslake said recent cooperation on plans for a Route 120 bypass is a good start.

But she criticized the county for taking too long.

"It took years to get there," she said. "It shouldn't take that long."

Lake County Board member Sandy Cole, also of Grayslake, said the board has been working on it for years.

She says the key to getting money in Springfield is "being the squeaky wheel."

Cole also said the state should make some mass transit policy changes. She said it would be nice to get an Amtrak stop in Gurnee or Lake Villa.

Also, Cole said Pace's Dial-a-Ride program should be revamped. Now, people can only schedule rides the 24 hours before they want service.

Cole thinks that could hurt seniors who schedule appointments well in advance but may not be able to find a ride at the last minute.

Oilschlager said she wasn't too familiar with mass transit issues but would work with lawmakers to get up to speed.

Both are running for the 62nd District state House seat in the March 21 primary election, and the winner will face Gurnee Democrat Sharyn Elman in November.

The district includes parts of Grayslake, Gurnee, Lake Villa, the Round Lake area and Third Lake.

State campaign records show Cole has received a financial boost over the last week in the homestretch of the primary campaign.

Contributions include a $1,000 loan to herself, about $700 from fellow county board member Steve Carlson and more than $5,000 from a political action committee that supports pro-choice candidates in Illinois.

Oilschlager's records show she has raised about $12,000 since the first of the year, including $1,000 each from a committee for Lake County contractors and a realty company. She hasn't reported any large donations from the past week.

Source: Daily Herald; Arlington Heights, Ill.

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