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Marta Perales, a 56-year-old administrator with the Chicago & Western Lakes Port Council, is campaigning for Kankakee County Board District 21 ahead of the upcoming county board election. Her platform centers on making local government more accessible, protecting the county’s waterways and pursuing improved commuter rail connections—issues with immediate consequences for residents and the county’s economic future.
| Name | Marta Perales |
|---|---|
| Age | 56 |
| Residence | Bradley |
| Occupation | Administrator, Chicago & Western Lakes Port Council, Maritime Trades, AFL-CIO |
| Education | M.A., University of Illinois Springfield; B.A., Governor’s State University |
| Public office experience | None |
From activism to a county-level bid
Perales has been active in local civic life for several years. She helps lead Indivisible Kankakee and organized a series of peaceful rallies at the county courthouse. At the state level she serves as first vice chair of Illinois Democratic Women and helped establish the Kankakee County chapter.
Her professional background combines union advocacy and regional planning. That blend shapes her pitch: apply organizational know-how and planning experience to county governance.
Top priorities and why they matter
- Evening meetings: Perales wants county board sessions scheduled after work hours so more residents can attend. She argues current daytime meetings limit public participation and contribute to quorum problems in standing committees.
- Protecting the Kankakee River: She opposes proposals she says prioritize private profit over long-term environmental health, calling for stronger safeguards against activities that could degrade the river.
- Metra expansion: Pushing to extend Metra service into Kankakee County is presented as an economic-development strategy. Perales points to her experience with Metra and the Illinois Metropolitan Planning Organization Advisory Council as credentials to advocate for renewed study and funding.
Practical trade-offs: growth versus farmland
Perales favors preserving agricultural land where possible because farming remains central to the county’s economy. Yet she acknowledges market realities: there is a notable amount of farmland on the market, creating pressure for development. Her position emphasizes measured decision-making rather than a blanket ban on conversion of farmland.
That pragmatic stance extends to foreign ownership concerns. Perales says she prefers land ownership to remain in the hands of people who live and work in the county, reflecting both economic and community considerations.
Local control and statewide policy
On housing, Perales supports increasing affordable options across the county but warns that some proposals could remove important local zoning authority. She said she is concerned the proposed BUILD Act might unduly limit local governments’ ability to manage land use decisions tailored to community needs.
She also says she follows county business closely: rather than attending in person, she watches board meetings via YouTube to stay informed.
How she frames the county’s prospects
Perales cites the community itself as Kankakee County’s chief asset: residents who come together in difficult moments. She describes Bradley as resilient, noting a campaign theme of “Bradley Strong.”
Her critique is less about people than perception: in her view, being treated like a peripheral area by larger media markets undermines local visibility and opportunity. That, she argues, is part of why improving transit links and local economic promotion matter now.
Perales says she will accept the outcome of the election and aims to offer a seat on the county board focused on transparency, collaboration and pragmatic problem-solving.
What to watch next: whether candidates’ plans for meeting schedules, river protections and a renewed push for commuter rail win traction with voters and colleagues will shape the county board’s agenda after the election.
