About Bob & Lisa
Bob Kirchner
"This is about the future. It is about making good government decisions on the jail, intergovernmental road funding agreements, county budget deficits, and racial equity."
A graduate of the University of Illinois College of Law, Bob is an attorney who has practiced law in Champaign county for over 20 years. He served District 9 on the county board from 2001 to 2004—appointed in 2001, and then elected in 2002 to serve a two-year term. During his tenure on the board, Bob worked with the Democratic majority to pass laws to guarantee a living wage for all full-time county employees, to prohibit employment discrimination on the basis of race, gender, or sexual orientation, and to fully fund the county health department.
Bob was the chair of the county nursing home sub-committee, and worked on the successful campaign to pass the referendum funding its construction. He was instrumental in researching the county's options in commissioning a disparity study to evaluate and redress racial discrimination in awarding county construction contracts. He worked hard to get the contract passed before he left the board in November 2004. However, after he left, the contract was rescinded. While Bob did not seek re-election in 2004, concerns over the disparity study and other issues inspired him to again seek election to the board.
Listen to and/or read Bob's recent commentary on WILL AM 580's Public Square.
Lisa Bell
"My work as director of a non-profit organization that provides free dental care to low-income children brings me in touch with families in communities throughout the county—and has inspired me to seek a voice on the county board."
Lisa Bell is Executive Director of the Central Illinois Dental Education and Service, an independent not-for-profit organization which provides free and subsidized dental care to uninsured and underinsured children in the rural communities of Champaign County. Working with 27 dentists, social service agencies, Head Start and area health care providers, Lisa has enrolled over 3,000 children in the CIDES program. CIDES received national recognition when it earned the ADA's Community Preventive Dentistry Award. A Parkland College graduate, she finished first in her class with a degree in dental hygiene and is a member of the Illinois Dental Hygiene Association. Lisa was named 2005 ADHA Clinical Hygienist of the Year for her work to make oral health education and services accessible to all.
Lisa is a dedicated public health advocate and community volunteer, working with the March of Dimes, Salvation Army, and Don Moyer Boys and Girls Club. She has also been active within the Urbana school system for many years, volunteering in classrooms, tutoring students, and volunteering with the PTSA and sports booster clubs. Lisa has two children at Urbana High School, 18-year old Brianna and 15-year old Garrett.
Lisa's work takes her to rural communities and brings her in contact with families throughout Champaign County, which gives her a unique perspective to offer as a county board member. She is especially interested in public health issues.
Listen to and/or read Lisa's recent commentary on WILL AM 580's Public Square.
Neither Lisa nor Bob have a conflict of interest which would prevent them from serving on the county board. If an issue arises in the future which creates a conflict, Lisa and Bob would abstain from voting, as county board members routinely do.