PERSONAL BIOGRAPHY:

Laura Guerin-Hunt comes from a large family - the youngest of 7, with 5 brothers and 1 sister. Her family moved to Belvidere in 1965 when her father, Dr. John Guerin retired from the U.S. Air Force as a colonel, and accepted the position of Plant Physician at the newly built Belvidere Chrysler Assembly Plant.         Laura attended Belvidere public schools, graduating from Belvidere High School in 1975. She graduated from Northern Illinois University in 1979 with a Bachelor of Science degree, and moved to Chicago where she worked in the retail industry as Department Manager, Assistant Buyer, and finally, as Buyer for Marshall Fields. In the fall of 1982 Laura expanded her experience by working in the wholesale side of women's clothing, working as a Regional Manufacturer's Rep, then as a National Representative. Laura returned to retail (and less travel!) with Lord and Taylor Department store in Woodfield as Regional Management Trainer where she helped to improve the skills and expertise of department managers in eight Chicagoland stores.         In 1986 Laura married Young Roy Hunt II, of Caledonia, IL and moved back to Belvidere to raise a family. After living in Chicago for several years, she was certain that she wanted to give her children the same kind of "small town" upbringing she and her husband had enjoyed. Laura retired from retail, and worked in both purchasing and office management for local companies. After the birth of her first two children, Laura started her own home-based Web site Design and Computer Consulting business in 1992 so that she could be a work-at-home mom. Once all 3 of her sons were in school, Laura accepted the position of Program Manager for Belvidere Main Street Center from 1997 to 1999, working to improve Belvidere's Downtown and was the Festival Administrator for the very first "Belvidere Wheels Festival" in 1999.         Laura was elected to the Boone County Board in December of 1996, serving for six years as the District 3 Republican representative. During her tenure on the County Board, she served as: Chairman of City/County Coordinating Committee, Vice Chair of the Public Safety, and the Administrative and Legislative Committees. She served as Vice-Chair of the Finance Committee, and as a member of the Planning, Zoning and Building Committee. In addition, Laura was appointed by the County Board Chairman with the unanimous support of the County Board to the position of Boone County Board of Review in 2000. This 3 member board hears petitions and appeals by property owners, and approves exemptions on property in Boone County.         Laura was very involved in the development of Boone County's landmark "Comprehensive Plan". She was also the county's principle on-site liaison between Boone County government, the Sheriff's Jail Transition Team, and the contractors and architects for construction of new Boone County Jail addition. Laura served as County Representative in Union negotiations with the Sheriff's Department, Circuit Clerks office, and Public Safety Building employees. She also acted as consultant for the Boone County Assessor's office in evaluating and recommending state of the art computer software programs for the Supervisor of Assessments and township assessors that was adopted in 2000. This software provided increased efficiency and standardization between the townships and the County Assessor, and allowed greater efficiency and sharing of information between the County Clerk, County Treasurer and Supervisor of Assessments office.         After her retirement from the County Board in 2002, Laura has continued to serve the County on the Board of Review. She served as a member of the Board of Directors for the Boone County Council on Aging for 6 years, and continues to design and develop web sites for various organizations and businesses. In addition, Laura works four days a week handling the bookkeeping/accounting functions for her husbands’ two construction and self storage companies.         Mrs. Hunt announced her candidacy for Boone County Board in November 2010 with the following statement:         "I have attended every County Board meeting since January, 2009, and am well versed on the issues facing Boone County. In addition, I serve as Vice Chair on the Boone County Board of Review, and know firsthand, through face to face contact with tax payers, how difficult the current economic climate is in Belvidere and Boone County. Unemployment in Boone County as of October, 2009 was 14.3% while the State of Illinois was 10.5%! As the song says, "Brother, we got trouble!"         Laura decided to run again for the County Board, this time in District 2 in for the 2011 election. She won her primary, and ran unopposed to win her seat again in December, 2010. Now, Laura is running for re-election to that same seat in the March, 2012 Primary Election.         "Our staggering unemployment, and declining property values have created unprecedented strain on our schools, law enforcement and local government agencies. My hope is to bring the ongoing economic struggle of Boone County's people to the forefront of our important issues. I believe there are workable solutions available that will enable us to bring jobs, maintain services, and enhance our economy without creating additional hardship for taxpayers. In short, I don't believe in raising taxes when our people are struggling just to get by. I believe government can, and must look for more efficient, economical ways to provide services without raising taxes. We need to use a little common sense! I feel strongly that I continue my work and offer the voters of Boone County's District #2 a choice for fiscally responsible, common sense leadership. I am asking for the privilege to continue to serve the people of Boone County as I have in the past. Help me to help Boone County, by giving me the honor of your vote."

Laura & Roy's Wedding, 1986 It's a Guy Thing! Wheels Festival, 1999 BoCo Expo, Boone County Council on Aging

Support Please help me in my journey to restore common sense and fiscal responsibility to the Boone County Boardroom. I can't afford to spend money on a campaign, and neither can you! I DON"T WANT YOUR MONEY, DON"T SEND ME MONEY! What I DO need, and can certainly use is volunteer help to get the word out. If you feel you'd like to support me as a volunteer, I'd love your help! If you could help me with finding and confirming yard sign locations, talking to your friends, family and neighbors in District 2, organizing "meet and greets" for me in your neighborhood, I'd be very grateful!

Volunteer There are many opportunities throughout our community for people to volunteer to help. Whether it's your church, school, local food pantry or any other agency, you can make a difference in the lives of people in Boone County. Look around, ask questions, and find out where your special talents can do the most good!

Vote in the General Election! I know times are tough, and everyone is busy. But there is one way everyone can help - PLEASE VOTE! - that will be the greatest help of all! Please, please don't ignore this critically important Election - Make your voice heard!

“ I don't believe in partisan politics, and I have no political allegiance to any person or group. I belong to no "good old boy club", and I am not, and will not be beholding to anyone except the tax payers and voters of Boone County. That's a promise. ”
-Laura Guerin-Hunt