Meet Worth Township Clerk Candidate Eamon McMahon

WORTH TOWNSHIP, IL — Eamon McMahon is running uncontested for the office of Worth Township Clerk in the April 6 election. Worth Township serves all or parts of Alsip, Blue Island , Bridgeview, Chicago Ridge, Crestwood, Evergreen Park, Hometown, Merrionette Park, Oak Lawn, Palos Heights, Robbins and Worth.

Name: Eamon McMahon

Age (as of Election Day): 55

Town/City of Residence: Oak Lawn

Office Sought: Worth Township Clerk

Party Affiliation (if a partisan race): Worth Township Community First Party

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

My sister, Maura McMahon Zeller, was elected Judge of the Cook County Circuit Court on March 17, 2020.

Education: St. Vincent de Paul High School Seminary. Three years of college.

Occupation: 35 years union carpenter

Campaign website: Worth Township Community First

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office: Worth Township Trustee, Worth Township Supervisor.

The single most pressing issue facing our Worth Township, and this is what I intend to do about it.

Pandemic recovery. I intend to focus on community development to create career training, good jobs and entrepreneurial opportunities for residents and business owners in Worth Township. .

Do you support Black Lives Matter and what are your thoughts on the demonstrations held since the death of George Floyd and the shooting of Jacob Blake?

The fact that Black Lives Matter is even a necessary movement is a disgrace to our society. I believe there is an unfortunate and often tragic legal and economic double standard in this country. I also believe police work is among the hardest jobs in the world and I respect all of those who take it up and perform honorably. I would like to see a future in policing more focused on mental health training and partnerships with mental health responders. This would bring well deserved relief to our police forces by giving them the tools and resources to succeed.

Do you think the current board has done enough to support racial equality, and if not, what specifically should be done to do so?

I think racial equality is a work in progress for all government agencies and improvement can always be expected of us. Our outreach and delivery of services are focused on case-by-case needs of our constituency regardless of any demographic indicators.

What are your thoughts on the national and local coronavirus response? Do you favor measures such as limiting operation of non-essential businesses and restricting indoor/outdoor dining? And do you favor a local mask mandate?

I favor policies that align with CDC guidance. I think the early response was tragically mishandled at the federal level, leaving the states to flounder on their own and compete against each other. I am thankful that we are past that now. At Worth Township, we have found ways to limit exposure while we continue delivering services. I favor a mask mandate until it is no longer necessary.

What are your thoughts on the state and local coronavirus vaccine distribution, and how do you think local governments should work together to handle vaccine rollout?

Worth Township has recently partnered with PLOWS on a vaccine distribution event that serviced over 500 seniors and through the diligence of our staff, we were able to arrange for delivery of all 500 doses with no waste. I agree with the majority that this should have happened sooner. We hope to do it again as soon as possible.

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

My unwavering commitment to service will differentiate me from any other candidate in any other election.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency): N/A

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

Service to our community’s seniors, our less fortunate, and our hardworking families is at the core of our mission at Worth Township. The expansion of benefits through the CEDA program, our general assistance office, and our emergency food distribution have been a great success that we will build on in the future. The services offered by the assessor’s office provide real help to our valued homeowners.

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

Managing the township’s response to the pandemic and the new protocols as our Township Supervisor has given me a new perspective on community service. Crisis management and fiscal responsibility have defined this period while answering the call for increased aid to our most vulnerable residents. We continue to focus on expanding existing benefit programs and introducing new ones like the monthly emergency food distribution.

If you win this position, what accomplishment would make your term in office as a success?

A successful community development program that addresses vocational training and entrepreneurship opportunities for our residents would be a great way to leave things better than I found them.

Why should voters trust you?

I’m here because I’m committed to community service. I do not participate in the taxpayer-funded pension or health care plans offered because I am fortunate enough to have a good Union job with good Union benefits. This saves revenue for the township and demonstrates my values as a public servant. I am born and raised in Worth Township. I have raised my family here because this is the best place to do that. I grew up in a family owned construction business and have had a hand in building many dozens of the building in this area. My goal has always been to leave the township in better condition than I found it.

What are your views on fiscal policy, government spending and the use of taxpayer dollars in the office you are seeking?

The resources we are responsible for are earned by hardworking middle class families. The stewardship of these resources is foremost in mind and informs every decision. Our spending should be focused on our stated goals and transparent to those who provided the revenues in the first place, the taxpayers of Worth Township.

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

None.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

Stoic philosophy urges us to focus on the things we can control and to accept the things we can not without complaint. This is how I try to live.

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

The pandemic has transformed how we live and work and socialize. As painful and tragic as this experience has been, I think it’s important for our community to come together to lift each other up. The more we can do to calm the recent rhetoric and appreciate each other for our differences, the better our recovery will be and the stronger our community will be. We all deserve better treatment from each other and we all have some measure of control over the kind of community where we want to live, to raise our families, to work and to open businesses. We all have more to gain by focusing our energies on positive interactions. Let’s debate the issues vigorously. Let’s come together in search of solutions. Above all, let’s always keep each other’s dignity intact.

If you are a candidate for local officer and would like to participate in a candidate profile, email lorraine.swanson@patch.com.