Politics & Government

New Lenox Trustee to Run for County Board

Ray Tuminello, elected in 2005 to the New Lenox Village Board, could potentially fill an open seat left by departing Will County Board member Laurie Smith (R-New Lenox).

With new Will County boundaries shaking up the 2012 election, New Lenox village trustee Ray Tuminello is throwing his hat in the ring for the county board.

Tuminello, a trustee on the New Lenox Village Board since 2005, officially announced his candidacy Aug. 20 at the New Lenox Township GOP meeting and notified the press Wednesday night. He will run in the March 20, 2012, primary election. 

Earlier this summer, the  that increased the number of districts from nine to 13 but cut the overall number of representatives to 26, or two per district.

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That would have left New Lenox's two representatives in good shape for re-election, but  Oct. 1 to move to Florida. That leaves one seat open with Tom Weigel, a Republican incumbent from New Lenox, to potentially be re-elected for the other spot. New Lenox now shares county District 12 with Mokena and a small part of Orland Park.

Tuminello's term on the Village Board doesn't end until 2013, so he would be able to return to the board if he doesn't win the county election.

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Some issues Tuminello mentioned in an email are road and bridge infrastructure, as well as technology efficiencies. He said there are numerous road improvements that should be done by the county, and that "even the smallest improvement can make a big difference" at the local level. He added that technology improvements could save taxpayers money.

“The county really needs to update and consolidate their information technology systems," he said in the email. "By doing this, it will save county taxpayers a tremendous amount of money while providing improved services."

In New Lenox, Tuminello has served as chairman of the land use committee and the streets and drainage committee, positions in which he points toward developing the area during a boom in 2005-2007 and securing plans to widen Route 30.

Tuminello, 40, lives in New Lenox with his wife and two children. He has been a New Lenox resident for more than 20 years, and he also serves as a board member and coach for the New Lenox Youth Football Association.


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