WTTW’s 2018 Voters’ Guide to the Cook County Primary is an online resource designed to inform voters about the candidates running for office in the March 20 election.

Candidates were given two minutes to tell voters where they stand on the issues, why they feel they are best qualified and what they intend to do if elected or re-elected. The messages were recorded at the WTTW studios at no cost to the candidates. The Voters’ Guide is an online version of Candidate Free Time, pioneered by WTTW in the 1992 race for U.S. Senate. This year’s Candidate Free Time is produced with and underwritten in part by the League of Women Voters of Cook County.

About this office: Cook County Commissioner

Seventeen elected Commissioners constitute the Cook County Board, the governing policy board and legislative body of Cook County. The Board sets policy and laws for the county regarding public health and public safety and oversees safety and maintenance of county highways. The Board approves the annual budget and oversees financial integrity of the County.

About this candidate:

Name: Erick Nickerson
DOB: 10/21/1955
Residence: Chicago
Family: Divorced father of 3 children and proud grandfather of 1.
Occupation: Community Business Development Specialist
Political Experience: nearly 25 years with the State of Illinois and served as the Mayor of Dixmoor, Illinois.
Website: ericknickerson.com

Candidate Q&A

What is your vision for this office?

I would like to return the reins of government to the people of the 3rd District and take it from the hands of the political elite who today, govern only for the benefit of theirselves. I plan to be a true representative of the people of the 3rd District, working solely for their benefit and protection. Cook County is a failed government. It is in deep debt, poorly managed, poorly led and on a path to insolvency. I will be an agent to change the course of our County by increasing revenue through commercial development and eliminating waste.

What is the most pressing issue facing constituents, and how can you help address it?

The most pressing issue today is allowing families to keep their homes and remain residents of Cook County.

While reducing taxes is the paramount goal to resolve this issue, it is not the only thing necessary. The uncertainty that citizens of Illinois and Cook County have due to the enormous debt rung up by local and state politicians makes it difficult for families to invest their lives and life-savings in Cook County. Unless and until we bring sense to the finances of government and provide a secure future for our citizens, homeowners will continue to lose their homes and families will continue to abandon Illinois for other states that are fiscally sound and offer better futures for their people. We must cut hard and deep to save the patient that is Cook County and we must use incentives to attract new commercial development to our County that will help expand our tax base and create jobs and opportunities for the people of the 3rd District.

Candidate Statement

I would like to change the Status Quo in politics here in Cook County. I plan to be the peoples Commissioner with being an agent of change. It is my mission to anchor change by reforming government.

Taxes, Jobs, Health Care and Public Safety.

In order to reduce Taxes. I will seek prospects on how to eliminate unnecessary budget spending and use best practices to maintain a balance budget. Jobs, my plan is to access high level technology firms that will hire well trained qualified individuals by way of existing City Colleges and Universities that will have a career in Smart Systems. Health Care, I will continue the fight for affordable Health Care for all families here in Cook County. Public Safety, I will seek programs of prevention and programs to help individuals who have been incarcerated and released back into society and seeking employment. Lastly I would like to support laws that are created to contain repeated offenders.

See more candidates for Cook County commissioner, 3rd County Board District.

Return to our 2018 Voters’ Guide to the Cook County Primary