Kankakee Times

Colton Ekhoff is suiting up for the election.

The carpenter and Republican hopes to unseat Jim Vickery as the 2nd District representative on the Kankakee County Board.

“I first started getting involved this past election cycle with Jake Lee’s campaign for Kankakee auditor,” Ekhoff told the Kankakee Times. “I started going to county board meetings and attending committee meetings. While going to those meetings, I questioned how our board members were voting.”

Colton Ekhoff, Kankakee County Board candidate

Ekhoff vows to reduce the size of the county board, host quarterly town hall meetings and restore public confidence in Kankakee government. 

“These three (points) have been hitting home to the voters in the district,” Ekhoff said. "Reducing the size of the county board from 28 to 21 has been brought up once since the April 4, 2017, election. Reducing the county board’s size would save the taxpayers on average $3,000 per board seat. I will be an advocate and a 'yes' vote for the reduction of the board size.”

He also wants to make sure he stays in touch with area residents.

“I pledge to host quarterly town hall meetings with my board district in the light of transparency,” he said. “Town hall meetings would give my constituents the opportunity to meet their board member and know the issues that are facing the county board.”

Finally, he wants to turn public opinion about the board, which he says has grown negative.

“I want to be a breath of fresh air and restore public confidence in the Kankakee County Board," he said. "Right now in my district and throughout the county, the board does not have a favorable opinion. I want to change how people view the county board. I would start by listening to what the people want and letting them have a voice.”