This is a Moms Clean Air Force exclusive interview with Paul Frank, Lake County, Illinois Board Member:
What is unique about protecting your district’s resources? How can your role protect those resources?
The 11th District is unique in that it had very few county resources. We have the Ft. Sheridan preserve of the Forest Preserve District and the County Health Dept Green Bay Health Center, which is so important in delivering preventative healthcare. I view my role as an advocate for our community values. I protect and enhance county assets and resources county wide, not just in Highland Park, Highwood and Deerfield.
As a parent are you worried about any specific effects of climate change on your children and the children of your district?
Yes! I’m worried about the impacts of climate change on a daily basis. In the short term, we look at health impacts of ozone or air pollution. But longer term – we are losing as many as one species a day on a planetary level. We now have to adjust our policy goals. We can no longer prevent climate change. We have to try to reduce its impacts and avoid tipping our planet towards a catastrophic level of mass extinctions. The combination of climate changing energy abuse and inadequate species protections may threaten food supplies and human existence, in ways most have not considered.
Why is a bipartisan effort so important to you when working on issues of air quality?
The county board is a bi-partisan collaborative body. I think it needs to be to be effective and useful.
Is there anything you’d like to share that is important for Moms Clean Air Force members to know?
I thank you and commend you for your work. We can do better and we need strong advocates to push us along the way.
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Paul Frank was elected as Lake County, Illinois Board Member – 11th District and Forest Preserve District Commissioner in November 2016. The 11th District represents the majority of Highland Park, all of Highwood and a portion of Deerfield. His main priorities on the Board are improving the County’s economic development policies, transparency, local government efficiency, environmental sustainability and access to healthcare. Paul and his wife Mandi live in Highland Park with their two children.
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