Lake County Board District 12 candidates clash over incumbent’s attendance, challenger’s financial support
The contest to represent District 12 on the Lake County Board has incumbent Democrat Paras Parekh seeking reelection to a second term challenged by Republican Andy Dalkin, an attorney and political newcomer.
Both candidates have been flinging criticisms at each other. Parekh questions Dalkin’s financial support and claim of being moderate while Dalkin asserts Parekh has failed the district and isn’t doing the job he was elected to do.
Parekh, a Highland Park resident, is marketing director for Sumitomo Pharma and a former West Deerfield Township trustee.
While the county board has accomplished much, Parekh said, there is a lot more to be done. He said he is eager to continue addressing critical issues such as affordable housing, gun violence and climate change.
Dalkin, a Lake Forest resident, is a former Cook County prosecutor and supervisor at the Civilian Office of Police Accountability who works for the Policemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association representing law enforcement officers.
He says his career has been defined by public service and would bring a commitment to hard work and community engagement to the county board.
District 12 includes Bannockburn, Deerfield and portions of Highland Park and Lake Forest. County board members double as Lake County Forest Preserve District commissioners.
Dalkin is critical of what he described Parekh’s “abysmal” attendance record at county board meetings, showing he doesn’t take the role seriously. That attendance in the private sector would get him fired, Dalkin charged, adding Parekh isn’t accessible to constituents.
Dalkin said the people he has spoken to have no idea who Parekh is. “He simply is not engaged,” he added.
Parekh says Dalkin’s assertions are overblown as there literally are about 100 meetings of various types per year held at various times of day. He estimated making 90% of those and absences would be due to illness, child care, elderly care or work travel.
He said he has held town halls, organized workshops, attended numerous local celebrations and events and is “highly participatory in the needs of my constituents.”
Parekh said Dalkin has posted “a hostile and inappropriate message” on Facebook which stands in contrast to the “inclusive, thoughtful and welcoming community I work to foster.”
Dalkin said he had no recollection of the Facebook post to which Parekh referred.
Parekh also is critical of a $6,900 contribution Dalkin accepted from Lake Forest billionaire Dick Uihlein, who Parekh says is a large contributor to “extreme candidates and causes.”
Dalkin said he didn’t ask for the contribution and has never met or spoken with Uihlein.
“While Mr. Parekh is trying to make me out to be some kind of radical conservative, my political views are actually quite moderate and commonsensical,” he said.
Dalkin says his he is committed to honesty, transparency, hard work and community engagement.
Parekh said the board has “accomplished a lot” including the expansion of forest preserves, various environmental initiatives and dozens of road projects.