About the Candidate
Name: Andrew Border
DOB: 1988
Occupation: Transaction Coordinator
Political Experience: None
Website: https://www.andrewforchange.com/
Candidate Statement
Good evening,
My name is Andrew Border and I am running for Cook County Commissioner, District 13.
I am tired of Cook County mismanagement and waste. Our elected officials are more concerned with lining their pockets than representing our interests.
Safety is at risk as we continue to have less than a fully-funded county system. The Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office attrition rate is at an all-time high and nowhere near ready to support the upcoming implementation of the SAFE-T Act. Citizens no longer have access to intervention pathways. Police departments remain understaffed and subject to harsh public opinion wedging a divide between them and the citizens they serve.
Our assessor is creating property tax chaos. I will fight for a freeze on property tax liens until the Assessor's Office is on track. Families and businesses should not shoulder the mistake of government, especially during a recession.
We deserve a well-governed and safe community that allows us to thrive.
I pledge to advocate on behalf of my fellow citizens to reduce taxes, to lower government spending, and to fight for transparency.
I am Andrew Border, I would be honored to have your vote this November.
Candidate Q&A
Why are you running?
My name is Andrew Border and I’m running for Cook County Commissioner District 13. You deserve a candidate that can bring a wave of change to Cook County residents in a sea of legacy machine politicians.
The current establishment has remained stale, bloated, and devises against Cook County residents by furthering their agenda. We have families and businesses in an exodus from the metro because they no longer feel valued.
What does this office do well, and what needs fixing?
Cook County does a great job in the area of tax extraction. Besides comprehensive ethics reform, property taxes and crime. To expand, first, Cook County Assessor cannot issue taxes promptly. Second, Cook County State’s Attorney is bleeding prosecutors, and seems unwilling to hold criminals accountable.
What is the most pressing issue facing your constituents and how do you plan on addressing it?
One of the biggest issues we face is the plague of violent crime running rampant in our county. With the new legislation going into effect in January 2023, we will need cash resources to fund the state mandates to maintain compliance while providing public safety services. Our capital-seeking solutions should not increase taxation for our hardworking citizens and should invite businesses and families to stick around Cook County instead of fleeing for other prospects.
I propose that we relinquish the Cook County Forest Preserve to the State of Illinois to create a series of Illinois State parks, freeing up 130 million dollars from the county budget as well as removing the ongoing problem of a 10-million-dollar unfunded pension liability with that County department alone.
What specific steps would you take to ensure your office is accessible and responsive to your constituents?
I will only have an office in my district, near public transportation and on ground level for optimal accessibility. I will choose to forgo an office downtown, and be fully present personally.
