​Paras Parekh Is Running For Lake County Board 2020

This Patch article is sponsored by Friends for Paras.

Paras Parekh is running for Lake County Board's 12th District in the 2020 elections. Learn more about Parkeh's campaign, career and priorities in this exclusive Patch one-on-one:

Patch: What attracted you to politics, and how did you get started?

Parekh: I have always had a passion for public service and helping my community. It started in college when I volunteered, and then joined as a staff member for congressional candidate Lynn Rivers, who was then elected to represent southeast Michigan from 1995 to 2001. After winning the election, I moved to Washington, D.C., to work for her as a legislative assistant on domestic issues. I then later returned to Ann Arbor, my hometown, to serve as a planning commissioner. There, I actively supported the creation of green spaces and affordable housing. After moving to the Chicago area in 2002, I joined the board of nonprofit organizations, supported my local schools and became active on numerous campaigns for individuals that I believe were engaged in inclusiveness, transparency and accountability.

In 2017, I was elected to be a West Deerfield Township trustee, where I work to ensure that members of our community have their most basic needs met in times of hardship. The township has played such a critical role in our community during the pandemic, as financial hardship and strain have become exponentially more prevalent.

Patch: Tell us a little bit about yourself and your campaign.

Parekh: I live in Highland Park with my wife, Shruti, and my 8-year-old twins. Like many other families, we choose to live here for the sense of community, access to green spaces and shared values. I want to ensure that this community remains strong and affordable for families like ours to raise their children.

Our community pays some of the highest property taxes in the state. Our community is also a fabulous place to live. Investing in services and government makes sense and is necessary, but I think many people are feeling financial pressure from too many years of constant property tax increases from all levels of local government, including Lake County. I decided to run in part to make sure that our County Board member was financially responsible and voted against property taxes increases while property values are still lagging from earlier in the past decade. I’m running for County Board because I think we can do better, be more efficient and not take taxpayers for granted.

I have focused my campaign around being accessible to the community and making sure that ALL voices in our community are heard.

I am proud to have the endorsements of so many distinguished organizations and elected officials, like the Sierra Club, U.S. Sens. Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth, Congressman Brad Schneider, state Sen. Julie Morrison, and state Rep. Bob Morgan.

Patch: How long have you lived in Lake County?

Parekh: I have lived and worked in our community since 2002.

Tell us about your career and service in Lake County.

Parekh: For 10 years, I worked at AbbVie and Abbott — organizations committed to continuing operations in Lake County. I later worked at a smaller health care firm based in Deerfield, and most recently I am working as a director at a large life sciences firm based in the area.

Additionally, I have also had the pleasure of serving my community. I have been involved in various local political campaigns. Later, I became a board member for Friends for Health, an organization dedicated to supporting the North Shore clinic of the Lake County Public Health Department.

In 2017, I ran for West Deerfield Township trustee. As a township trustee, I work to ensure that we support the basic needs of those going through difficult times in our community. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and the increase in financial strain even here in our community, our work at the township has proven even more imperative. In July 2019, I announced my candidacy for Lake County Board for this upcoming Nov. 3, 2020, election.

Patch: What are some ways you give back to the community?

Parekh: I have served as a city planning commissioner and a board member for Friends for Health, a local community health organization. I have found immense purpose in our work at the township, helping hold our community together and support each other even during the most trying times, like the COVID-19 pandemic

Patch: If you were to be elected, what would some of your top priorities/policies/changes be?

Parekh: I have focused on three key issues since I announced my candidacy for Lake County Board.

1. Property Taxes: In our community, property taxes have been rising while home values haven’t recovered since 2008. In my conversations with so many in our community, the top concern by far is property taxes. At what point do we say enough is enough and hold the line on property taxes? I will work against property tax increases, if I am so lucky to be your representative on the Lake County Board.
2. Environment: Protecting the environment is the issue of our lifetime. We enjoy a fabulous array of green spaces and open lands here and in Lake County. We need to continue to enact policies which will protect and defend the environment here in our community. I will ensure that the work of hundreds of local volunteers to restore and maintain these lands is protected. I will also fight for greater investments in stormwater management projects, restoration of wetlands and natural features in response to the persistent and unprecedented flooding in our district. I know that the consequences of climate change are affecting our district and that we must follow the science. I am proud to have the endorsement of the Sierra Club, the nation’s most enduring and influential environmental protection group.
3. Small Businesses: Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, our local small businesses have been suffering. It's especially important to support and stand with our small-business owners. As your Lake County Board member, I will work with employers and the local chambers of commerce to support, attract and retain businesses of all sizes in our community. This starts with ensuring that all federal funding available to support small businesses through this difficult time is prioritized. I will work to ensure that our local businesses get the support they need.

To read my full platform, please visit my website.

Patch: What distinguishes you from other candidates?

Parekh: I bring a fresh perspective to our community’s most pressing issues. While my opponent has voted SIX in the last seven years to increase property taxes, I have stood firm in my commitment to hold the line on property taxes. In my current elected position, I have even voted to lower taxes. While my opponent has done little to champion the environmental health of our community, I am proud to have received the Sierra Club endorsement for my strong positions on the environment, pursuing a timetable on getting to 100 percent clean energy, and enacting sustainable practices in all government activities. Our community is not immune to the devastating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. While my opponent voted against extending the COVID-19 disaster declaration, continues to skirt public health guidelines by holding events and fundraisers inside and in person, and receives the majority of his financial support from donors who have opposed recommendations to protect our community from COVID-19, I am committed to trusting the science and the experts on COVID-19 and prioritizing the public health of our community first and foremost.

Patch: What’s the biggest challenge or most difficult moment you’ve faced during this election?

Parekh: The COVID-19 pandemic is definitely the biggest challenge I have faced during this election cycle. I am a firm believer that the biggest responsibility of local officials is to be accessible to constituents. Before the pandemic began, I walked to hundreds of doors in our community, hearing from neighbors about the issues they care most about. The pandemic has significantly limited my ability to meet neighbors at their door. Being someone who is all about people-to-people communication, a phone call doesn’t always cut it for me. My campaign has developed safe solutions in order to most effectively communicate with neighbors while prioritizing public health and the safety of our community first and foremost.

Patch: What’s the most satisfying part about running in this election?

Parekh: Every day, I talk to 30-40 people about their thoughts and concerns in our community. The most satisfying thing is hearing our neighbors’ enthusiasm and excitement for a fresh perspective to help lead our community. Neighbors have been receptive to my commitment to preserve the best of our community while helping to introduce pragmatic solutions to our community’s most pressing issues.

Patch: How can Patch readers learn more about your campaign?

Parekh: Visit my website, send me an email at paras@parasforlakecounty.com or give me a call at 847-607-1574.