West Cook News

Rick Lloyd is challenging his rivals to make the same pledge he has in the Community Consolidated School District 146 school board race.

“Unfortunately, I do not feel my opponents are willing to make that same commitment to putting in the time and working collaboratively to continue moving our schools forward,” Floyd, running on the 146Forward slate of candidates, told Patch.com. “As I mentioned before, I believe COVID[-19] and returning to school is the most important issues currently facing our schools.”

The 146Forward slate includes Jill Dunlap, Julie Berry, Patty Chlada and Lloyd.

Lloyd said what distinguishes him and other 146Forward candidates from others is a deep love of community and a thorough understanding of the issues critical to the district.

Currently serving on the Community Consolidated District 146 board, Lloyd said he worries about the damage COVID has already caused for students. He also fears that the effects may linger for a while going forward.

“Unfortunately, it appears as though COVID is not something that will be vanquished in the near-term, if ever,” he said. “As such, it is imperative that we continue to push to find a way to get our children safely back into the classroom on a full-time basis as soon as possible. Our current students have now endured nearly a year of suboptimal learning and socialization. That is time that will be difficult to ever make up, and we need to get back to our optimal learning model as soon as possible.”

An accountant and financial advisor by trade, the 41-year-old Lloyd resides in Orland Park with his wife and three children. Consolidated elections across the state are slated to be held on April 6.