Schillerstrom highlights DuPage County's success

Three-term DuPage County Board Chairman Bob Schillerstrom took time Monday to bask in the glow of what the county has accomplished during his tenure.

In what was his final State of the County speech after 12 years as chairman, Schillerstrom said DuPage has streamlined services and promoted economic development while maintaining "the quality of life which our residents have come to expect and deserve."

"The sound decisions that we have made in the past are helping us today as we plan for the future," Schillerstrom told the crowd during a Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce luncheon.

For example, Schillerstrom said the board has approved a $70 million long-term infrastructure program that will create thousands of jobs, ease traffic congestion, reduce flooding and improve services to county residents.

Meanwhile, the county has unveiled a proposed spending plan for next year "that continues our commitment to sound long-term financial planning," Schillerstrom said. The nearly $460 million budget is $5.4 million below last year's spending plan.

"Unlike the state, our fiscal year 2011 budget reflects the belt-tightening but maintains established programs and services," Schillerstrom said. "It is balanced and it does not ask the taxpayers for more money."

One way the proposed budget holds the line on spending is by having no raises for most county employees for the second straight year. Only union workers and sheriff's office employees will receive raises as part of their contracts.

"This is not a reflection of the work our employees are doing," Schillerstrom said of the decision to forego raises. "It's a result of the economic conditions and the realities that we are all facing."

In addition, Schillerstrom said he has encouraged county departments to not hire new employees until after Jan. 1 - the date the state's new pension law goes into effect. "The county will be able to take advantage of the long-term savings offered by this new pension law," he said.

The budget proposal is being reviewed by the public and is expected to go to a county board vote by November.

"This budget and our fiscally conservative leadership demonstrates why DuPage County has been able to weather the economic storm that's caused turmoil in many other units of government," he said.

Schillerstrom, a Naperville Republican, decided to run for the GOP gubernatorial nomination rather than seek re-election as county board chairman. He abandoned the bid shortly before the primary.

Voters will decide Nov. 2 who the next chairman will be between Republican state Sen. Dan Cronin or Democrat Carole Cheney.

When asked if he had any advice for his successor, Schillerstrom said the next chairman will need to work with elected officials and various groups throughout the county.

"Everybody has a different style," he said. "I am sure that the new chairman is going to do a fine job."