About the Candidate
Name: Peter Kopsaftis
DOB: January 24, 1948
Occupation: Financial services
Political Experience: Chairman/Committeeman of the Barrington Township Republican Organization; Former Candidate for the 8th U.S. Congressional District
Candidate Statement
I am Peter Kopsaftis, Republican candidate for Cook County Treasurer. I live in South Barrington and I have lived in Cook County since 1958.
I’m a solutions-driven individual. I’ve been for many decades in my professional life. Where there has been conflict, disagreement and difficulty, I have always sought the route to an amicable and a productive solution. As treasurer, I will continue to ascribe to this valuable attribute.
There has been much finger-pointing between elected officials involved in the property tax bill process. Mainly because of conflicting internal political interests that have put our county in this difficult position. Regardless of the internal party politics at play, I would serve as a neutral arbiter, seeking only a solution to this massive dilemma. The political and self-serving personal interests of those elected officials should not come before the best interests of Cook County.
I will acknowledge that my opponent has served admirably in the office of treasurer and has made considerable improvements to the office. But voters of Cook County not only deserve a choice at election time. They are demanding a choice. The significant issues at hand for Cook County reach far beyond my opponent.
In 2022, Cook County voters will have the most competitive ballot they’ve seen in a generation. They will see Republican candidates on the ballot where they haven’t seen any in more than 40 years. The current times and extremely difficult circumstances Cook County finds itself today demands that the incumbent elected officials, all of whom are Democrats, no longer receive the proverbial “free pass” at election time. Accountability to the voters is paramount.
Thank you.
Candidate Q&A
Why are you running?
I am running to restore relevance, credibility, and accountability to the Republican Party; to assure the Illinois voters that we need to elect officials who will be fiscally responsible, do the right thing for our communities and to stand up against radical agendas on issues affecting the families and communities of Cook County.
What does this office do well, and what needs fixing?
To be an advocate and to promote affordable housing, community development block grants, establish enterprise zones throughout Cook County to the the local businesses and to the low- and moderate-income households thus to stimulate the economy and to provide business opportunities and jobs to the Cook County residents.
What is the most pressing issue facing your constituents and how do you plan on addressing it?
Issues: Inflation and crime.
Solutions: rule of law, lower taxes, cut government spending, lower energy costs, open the Keystone Pipeline, fracking and to seek other alternate forms of technology.
What specific steps would you take to ensure your office is accessible and responsive to your constituents?
Schedule town hall forums throughout all communities — Black, Latino, Asian and all other ethnic communities — in order to build bridges, coalitions and to advocate for the local issues that are most important, have the highest and best interest of the communities at large.