I'm Listening, But I Haven't Heard From You Yet. Here's Why That Matters
- Christine Hamm
- Apr 29
- 3 min read
I'll be honest. When I launched my "What Issues Matter Most to You?" survey a while back, I hoped for hundreds of responses. So far, I've only heard from a handful of neighbors. But what those people told me is already shaping how I think about this race and what District 9 needs.
What I'm hearing
The folks who've taken the survey so far are worried about three things:
Taxes and affordability — They're stretched thin and working hard to make ends meet
Mental health and addiction services — They need better access to care right here in our community
Environment and water quality — They want to protect McHenry County for our kids and grandkids
These aren't just issues that happen to matter to voters. They matter to me because I live here too. I'm in Huntley. I'm your neighbor. I feel these pressures daily. My work in nonprofits and local organizing has shown me how these problems connect, and I believe we can tackle them without losing what makes our community special.
Why low response is actually a problem for all of us
Here's what worries me. If only a handful of us are speaking up, county government ends up hearing from a tiny slice of our community. That is not representative leadership. That is leadership for the most vocal or the most connected, not for everyone.
When response rates are low, it is easier for decisions to reflect special interests instead of working families. It is easier for the same old perspectives to dominate because not enough new voices are challenging them.
What representative leadership looks like
To me, representative leadership means understanding that public service is about serving the people you represent, not pushing your own personal or political agenda. It means listening first. Being honest about what you can and cannot do. Making decisions that are easy for residents to trust.
It means knowing that when we use public money or public incentives, the standards should be clear. Good jobs. Fair rules. Decisions that working families can support. It means standing up for things like reproductive rights, bodily autonomy, labor rights, and inclusive governance because these are not abstract principles. They are about real people's lives.
McHenry County's Board has been dominated by one party for a long time. That does not mean everyone on it is bad. It means we have had the same perspectives, the same approach, and the same voices at the table. Our community deserves fresh perspectives from people in this for the right reasons. Because they want to serve, not because they want power.
Why my background makes me different
My work as a nonprofit executive and local organizer has taught me how to bring different perspectives together. How to handle complex issues without losing sight of real people. How to stay grounded in what our community actually needs, not what looks good on a campaign sign.
I have learned to listen first instead of speaking as a spokesperson. I have learned that integrity means being transparent about ethics, especially when it comes to how we grow our local economy. I have learned that the steady, sometimes unglamorous work of serving others is exactly what our county needs.
I believe McHenry County deserves leaders who listen first, tell the truth about what they can and cannot do, and are willing to do that steady work. This campaign is about creating a more connected, caring, and transparent county government. I march with you. I march for you. And I would be excited to team up with you to make that happen.
I need to hear from you
Whether you are worried about your property taxes, struggling to find mental health resources, concerned about our environment, or just want your neighbor on the County Board to actually listen, your voice matters.
This survey takes 5 minutes. Your answers will directly shape my priorities if I am elected.
Public money should serve working families and our communities. A small contribution helps us share this message and bring these values to the McHenry County Board.
Public service starts with listening. Help me hear what matters most to you.
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