Lori Wilcox Officially Announces Run: Bloom Township Supervisor

CHICAGO HEIGHTS, IL — Lori Wilcox, the current Chicago Heights City Clerk and Bloom Township Democratic Committeewoman officially announced her campaign for Bloom Township Supervisor on Monday in a news release. If Wilcox is elected, she would be the first woman and African American elected as Township Supervisor.

In 2018, Wilcox unseated a 20+ year incumbent and was elected as the second African American Democratic Committeewoman of Bloom Township. Wilcox was the first elected in 2011 as City Clerk of Chicago Heights, and she is currently serving her third term.

“Bloom Township has an unfortunate history of not being receptive to change in it’s residents, it’s government and culture. Our campaign is one of not only complete diversity, but inclusion in every aspect of our platform for Township government. Our motto is total inclusion, no exclusion.” Wilcox said.

Wilcox is running as a Democrat and is focusing her attention to three areas she says the current township administration has failed in their governing process, adding the township government has been the "poster child" for the lack of accountability, transparency, gross fiscal mismanagement, as well as the lack of modernizing township services that benefit every resident regardless of their demographic, the release states.

“Accountability is an elusive concept, but understanding where it originates helps citizens find ways to hold government accountable," Wilcox said. "I have given my life to public service, but moreover I have an outstanding reputation of being transparent, in which the voters have rewarded me with numerous election victories.”

If elected, Wilcox, a U.S. Army veteran, plans to expand and modernize Township services that would enhance the citizens' ability to utilize technology in accessing services, the release states. In addition, she will launch a full-scale marketing campaign of Township services that will ensure that every resident is acutely aware of every program and how to engage themselves, according to the release.

Wilcox is running with a slate of Democratic candidates for various other positions within the township. The release states the diversity of Wilcox's slate "confirms her mission of inclusion, and no exclusion in Township affairs." The slate also includes six veterans and include:

Larecia Tucker- Township Assessor
Frank Perez- Highway Commissioner
Leonard Morgan- Trustee
Robert Benavides-Trustee
Ricardo Leon- Trustee
LeShawn Ridley- Trustee

The release states that over the past several months the Wilcox campaign has conducted a listening tour throughout every portion of the township. The biggest complaint has been the "enormous rate of fees and taxes" and Wilcox's campaign points the finder at the current township administration for being responsible.

The campaign said Wilcox has a plan to trim the township budget by eliminating wasteful spending and excessive salaries of some administrative positions. She will also seek to hold the line on taxes by refraining from any pursuit of an increase, according to the release.

Wilcox has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Western Illinois University, an ABA Approved Post-Bachelor Paralegal Certificate from Roosevelt University Chicago, a Master of Education from AIU and is pursuing a Doctor of Education Degree, according to the release.

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