About the Candidate
Name:James Humay
DOB: July 3, 1967
Occupation: Sales director
Political Experience: This is my first time running for public office, but I believe being a political outsider will bring a fresh perspective to county government.
Treasurer Libertarian Party of Chicago 2020 to present.
Treasure Cook County Libertarian Party Central Committee 2020 to present.
2nd Ward Precinct Committeeperson Libertarian Party of Illinois 2021 to present.
State Central Committeeman 7th Congressional District Libertarian Party of Illinois 2022 to present
Website: https://humay4liberty.wixsite.com/humay4district1
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Humay4Liberty
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Humay4Liberty
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/humay4liberty/
Candidate Statement
Hello voters of Cook County. My name is James Humay and I am running to be the next county commissioner from the 1st District.
If you’re like me, you are concerned about the direction our county is heading. Skyrocketing property taxes are reducing the availability of affordable housing, gentrifying neighborhoods and forcing longtime residents to flee Cook County in favor of areas with lower tax burdens.
With the highest maximum sales tax in the country, county taxes on essential goods that working families need to survive such as fuel, food, clothing and personal care items are driving up the cost of living.
I am running on a platform of individual liberty, personal accountability, fiscal responsibility and community empowerment. I pledge to remove the obstacles of overbearing government so that our communities and neighborhoods can flourish. I promise not to impose the will of the administration upon the people but rather to recognize the consent of the governed.
I firmly believe that the message of people over politics, community not cronyism and self-reliance instead of subjugation will resonate with the voters of the 1st District. I welcome those that share this vision to join me in bringing about a new way of governing to the people of Cook County and to be a beacon of Liberty, not just here at home, but for the whole world to witness.
If you agree that there must be a profound change in the way Cook County is run, then I would be honored to have your vote this November. Thank you.
Candidate Q&A
Why are you running?
I am running to give the voters of the 1st District an alternative to the way county government has been run for the past 50 years. I am running to empower communities to develop solutions that work best for them. I am running to pare back big government that has become more of an obstacle to development than it is conducive. I am running on a platform of individual liberty, personal accountability and fiscal responsibility. I firmly believe that the message of people over politics, community not cronyism and self-reliance instead of subjugation will resonate with the voters of the 1st District.
What does this office do well, and what needs fixing?
The Cook County Board is excellent at out of control spending, approving enormous budgets, nepotism, and backroom deals. They are proficient and shutting down family businesses, stifling the local economy and setting our school children back years developmentally.
I will utilize the county auditor's office to identify where budgets can be reduced or eliminated. I will decrease the 1st Districts operational budget by 30%. Every penny spent, or contract signed by my office or the board in general, will be transparent to the public. I pledge to vote against any new taxes or tax increases. Any emergency powers enacted by the board president must be highly limited in scope and duration and must not be automatically renewed without consent of the board. Those that shut down our lives and livelihoods, must never be permitted to do it again.
What is the most pressing issue facing your constituents and how do you plan on addressing it?
Affordable housing. The Covid 19 pandemic exacerbated the affordable housing crisis in Cook County, forcing multitudes of residents out of their homes. Over the past decade, property taxes have outpaced earnings for a sizable number of Cook County homeowners.
As county commissioner I pledge to work towards replacing property taxes with Land value taxes. Land Value Taxes make land speculation less profitable which reduces the incentive for gentrification and fringe suburban development.
Shifting the property tax burden off of building values and onto land values can make both buildings and land less expensive, thereby making housing more affordable and available while, at the same time, fostering business growth and employment especially in the underserved communities that need it most.
What specific steps would you take to ensure your office is accessible and responsive to your constituents?
More and more, people prefer to use SMS or instant messaging as their primary form of communication. Public servants must make these methods readily available for their constituents. Online surveys are also an excellent ways to obtain feedback. Additionally, I will hold in person 'town hall' meetings. Each month I will select a different area of the district to meet with constituents face to face to gain a better understanding of their concerns and issues.
