Lake County Board Chair Sandra Hart is running for Lake County treasurer in the Nov. 3 general election, citing her fiscal oversight experience on the county board.
Hart, a Democrat, faces Republican David Penaherrera. She describes the treasurer's role as managing county investments, safeguarding public funds and ensuring transparent financial reporting, according to her campaign website.
Candidate information
- Party: Democratic
- Current office: Lake County Board chair, District 13 (represents Lake Bluff and portions of Gurnee, North Chicago and Waukegan)
- Education: Bachelor's degree in marketing, Indiana University (1990); MBA, DePaul University (2001); Certified Government Investment Professional, Government Investment Officers Association (2026), according to her campaign website
Experience and public service
Hart has served on the Lake County Board since 2012, representing District 13, and became board chair in 2018, according to her campaign. She also worked at the Shields Township Assessor's Office, her campaign states.
Before joining the county board, Hart served as a commissioner on the Lake Bluff Park District from 2006 to 2012 and worked as an organizational development manager at Kraft Foods from 2001 to 2003, according to BallotReady.
Hart said she chaired the 2008 referendum effort to build Lake Bluff's LEED-certified elementary school. The effort succeeded. She has also served as a volunteer board member for Lake Bluff Open Lands (2014–2025) and A Safe Place (2019–2022), according to her campaign.
On the issues
Taxes and budget: Hart said she plans to apply her "proven track record in fiscal oversight and operational excellence" to managing county investments and ensuring transparent financial reporting. She said on her campaign issues page that she is committed to keeping taxes low while maintaining high-quality county services.
Environment: Hart said she is committed to preserving Lake County's natural environment, including air quality, water quality and stormwater management. She is also a member of the Lake County Forest Preserve District, according to her campaign. On industrial pollution, Hart said on her campaign page she would continue pushing federal and state governments to act against unsafe polluters. Hart said Lake County Forest Preserves has refinanced bonds and saved taxpayers over $11 million.
Infrastructure: Hart said the county board has increased infrastructure spending under her leadership. The county has a ranked Capital Improvement Plan to modernize and upgrade infrastructure, according to her campaign. She said it is important to work with Springfield to secure funding for pressing infrastructure needs.
Government reform: Hart said she has introduced initiatives and policies to tighten controls and oversight, stating that all government officials must be accountable to the public.
Healthcare: Hart said she has a long-standing focus on helping those living with serious mental illness, particularly those in the criminal justice system.
Endorsements
Hart has received the following endorsements, according to BallotReady:
- IUOE Local 150
- Personal PAC
Policy positions and biographical details attributed to the candidate are drawn from her campaign website and responses submitted through BallotReady. The Lake Forest Journal does not endorse candidates.
