Tom Richards

TOM RICHARDS MARCHES AND FIGHTS FOR YOU!

I am proud to announce my candidacy for the McHenry County Board in 2028.

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About Me

As a Democrat committed to working across the aisle, I am running to provide steady, responsible leadership for the residents of Crystal Lake, Algonquin, McHenry, Prairie Grove, and the surrounding communities. County government works best when it is practical, disciplined, and focused on serving taxpayers — not partisan politics.

My campaign is grounded in a simple belief: strong communities are built through respect, careful judgment, and fiscal responsibility. Anger does not solve problems. Thoughtful leadership does.

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With more than 40 years of experience in business and public policy, I understand how budgets work, how waste happens, and how disciplined management can protect taxpayers. I have served as a legislative analyst at the federal, state, and county levels, including service during the administration of Ronald Reagan. I have also served as a city planning commissioner, where I worked to balance responsible development with environmental protection.

A person speaking into a microphone points to the distance, standing on a platform with a banner that reads 'SAVE OUR SAND.' Two individuals with hats are visible in the foreground, showing their backs to the camera. A loudspeaker stands on the platform, and a tree is seen against the blue sky.
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If elected, I will:

  • Work to reduce the property tax burden through careful, transparent budgeting
  • Support strong and properly funded public safety services
  • Promote responsible development that protects our environment and preserves the character of our communities
  • Encourage local business growth and job creation
  • Insist that any new spending be fully offset through responsible financial management
  • Increase transparency and accountability in county government

I believe we can disagree without being disagreeable. McHenry County deserves leadership that listens first, studies the facts, and makes decisions based on what is best for families, businesses, and future generations.

I was born in Park Forest, Illinois, and educated at Illinois Wesleyan University, graduating Magna Cum Laude in political science and theatre arts. I later earned an MBA from the UCLA Anderson School of Management, as well as a master’s degree from Dublin City University in Ireland. My professional life has included managing and owning businesses in both the United States and Ireland, giving me firsthand experience with job creation, budgeting, negotiation, and economic growth. Those experiences have shaped my understanding of what responsible leadership requires: calm judgment, respect for every individual, and a steady focus on results.

What finally moved me to run is something deeply personal: affordability. I have sat at kitchen tables with friends and neighbors who are doing everything right — working hard, raising families, paying their bills — and yet each year it feels harder to stay ahead. Groceries cost more. Heating bills rise. Property taxes climb again. People are not asking for handouts. They are asking for fairness, efficiency, and a government that respects how hard they work for every dollar. I am running because I am determined to fight for responsible budgeting, lower local tax burdens, and a county government that serves its citizens rather than frustrates them. I am calm — but I am also resolute. We can protect what makes McHenry County special while making it more affordable to live here. That is worth marching for. That is worth fighting for.

“March and Fight for You” means marching forward with determination and fighting waste, inefficiency, and unnecessary tax burdens. It means standing up for fairness, public safety, and fiscal responsibility while treating every resident of our county with dignity.

In a time when public discourse can feel divided and loud, I offer a different approach: steady leadership rooted in wisdom, thoughtfulness, and accountability.

I respectfully ask for your confidence and your vote in 2028. Together, we can ensure that McHenry County remains a safe, prosperous, and well-managed place to live, work, and raise a family.

Thomas J. Richards
Democratic Candidate
McHenry County Board, 2028