Elaine Zannis: Candidate Profile

Note: Answers provided have not been edited for grammar, misspellings or typos. In some instances, candidate claims that could not be immediately verified have been omitted. Jump to:BioKey IssuesQA Bio City: Oak BrookWebsite: http://electzannis.comOffice sought: DuPage County board District 2Age: 54Family: 2 Children: Perri (female, 26), and Kevin (male, 23)Occupation: President - Oak Brook Real Estate, Inc - REALTOREducation: Bachelor of Science - Political Science U of I @ Chicago CircleCivic involvement: PTA President - Butler Jr. High PTA Treasure - Brook Forest Elementary Hinsdale Central Football Club - filmed produced Football Season Highlights DVD Oak Brook Historical Society York Woods Homeowner's Association President - Board Member Appointed York Township Committeeman Oak Brook Village Trustee to the Greater Oak Brook Chamber of Commerce Annunciation Cathedral - Cathedral Ball Executive Board MemberElected offices held: Oak Brook Village Trustee - 2001 to 205 Oak Brook Village Trustee - 209 to PresentHave you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: NoCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 To keep the tax levy and tax rates in DuPage County at their current levels.Key Issue 2 To foster economic growth and job creation in DuPage County by promoting all we have to offer to business throughout the Region.I think we should look at supporting the present Economic Development efforts and do everything we can to further their efforts.We should set objectives for Office Retail space that are definable and measurable.Key Issue 3 To begin looking at consolidation of services in an effort to reduce costs without reducing services.For example Mosquito Abatement is done by so many different entities that if we consolidated the task we would be able to gain economies of scale.Questions Answers Why are you running for this office, whether for re-election or election for the first time? Is there a particular issue that motivates you? If so, what?When it became clear that there would be two vacancies on the County Board for our district, I was asked by a few people I know in the community and in the Chamber of Commerce if I would consider running.I did consider it and decided to join the race. I have had a great deal of experience on the municipal level of government and its interaction with the county, so I believe I am well prepared to tackle the issues facing county government.I amparticularly motivated by the financial issues facing DuPage and the "often" lack of accountability.If you are an incumbent, describe your main contributions. Tell us of any important initiatives you've led. If you are a challenger, what would you bring to the board and what would your priority be?I would bring to the board my six years experience as an elected Trustee of the Village of Oak Brook, three decades of civic experience,2.5 decades of professional experience in the business world, 7 years experience as a top performing real estate sales agent and property acquisition consultant, and my life experience as a mother of two well educated successfully employed children.I am successful, energetic entrepreneurial. My priority would be to keep our tax burden low and our economic growth high through pro-business policies.How can the county best manage its growth, growing diversity?I think DuPage County is already well diversified economically and demographically.The DuPage business community has a good mix of manufacturing and industrial (especially near O?Hare). I have been working closely with the Greater Oak Brook Chamber Of Commerce and Oak Brook has experience outstanding growth both in business retail related space. My expertise in Economic development will be an asset to DuPage County.If incumbent, are you satisied your attendance at county board/committee meetings has been adequate? Describe the rough percentage of meetings you've attended. If non-incumbent, are you aware of the incumbent's attandance record and is it adequate?I am a non-incumbent and I am not aware of any deficiencies in the attendance records of the incumbent board members.I think Board Members should make every effort to attend each and every meeting.I am all in favor of docking board members if they are regularly absent from committee meetings or board meetings.What is your stance on county board members' pay? Too high, too low, just right? Would you propose any changes' Do you think county board members should receive pensions' If not, would be willing to pledge not to take one?I think the pay is high - I know there have been cuts made in the past but I think pay scales for elected officials should be consistently reviewed and adjusted according to the economic conditions.During these difficult economic times there are many taxpaying citizens that are unemployed and are suffering hardship.We should do everything we can to reduce our spending and not cause greater burdens on our taxpayers. I do not believe any part-time county official should be in a pension system.For full time administrative officials, it should be a reasonable market appropriate 401K contribution and done.