Will County Board D12: Weigel, Hamilton-Gunkel, Pretzel, Moncek

NEW LENOX, IL — Will County voters in the New Lenox and Mokena area will select two candidates for Will County Board in District 12. Republican and incumbent Tom Weigel, Democrat JoAnne Hamilton-Gunkel, Republican Frankie Pretzel and Democrat Erin Moncek are all vying for the two positions.

Who are the candidates?

Tom Weigel

Weigel, 77, is currently serving as one of the Will County Board members for District 12, a position he's held for 15 years. Weigel lives in New Lenox with his wife, Nancy, and is a retired environmental engineer.

He has previously served as a New Lenox village trustee. Weigel said the most pressing issue facing the county board is the "issue of congestion on our roads due to truck traffic."

Weigel said truck routes should be away from residential neighborhoods and "the Illiana Expressway should be built to relieve traffic from I-80 and I-55."

See Weigel's answers to the Patch candidate questionnaire here.

Read the New Lenox Voter Guide 2020 and return to Patch for results as they come in. Subscribe to free News Alerts for election results.

JoAnne Hamilton-Gunkel

Hamilton-Gunkel, 65, lives in Mokena with her husband, Gary. She is a retired science teacher and has served on the Illinois Education Association Legislative Action Committee.

She believes the most pressing issue facing the county board is to "continue to provided needed services to all the citizens of Will County, while keeping the county financially responsible."

"I believe it will be my duty to be fully informed of all the issues that impact our communities and district, and to act by doing what is best for the residents of Mokena and New Lenox," she said.

See Hamilton-Gunkel's answers to the Patch candidate questionnaire here.

Frankie Pretzel

Pretzel, 41, lives in New Lenox with his wife, Traci, and two young daughters. He has worked as a national account manager for 14 years.

Pretzel believes the most pressing issue facing the county board is keeping communities safe.

"I will work closely with the Will County Sheriff's department to ensure they have necessary funding, equipment, vehicles and training facilities to keep our communities safe," he said.

See Pretzel's answers to the Patch candidate questionnaire here.

Erin Moncek

According to Moncek's campaign website, she is a life-long resident of New Lenox. She is currently seeking a master's degree with the intent of teaching at the college level and works part-time at the Joliet Park District.

"Both of my children experienced health issues, and I had to learn how to advocate and fight on their behalf in order to get the answers and treatment needed. Now that they are thriving, I would like to advocate for my community," her campaign website states.

Election Day is Tuesday. Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.

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