Zachary Wilson: 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: LombardWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: DuPage County board District 2Age: 52Family: Married to Mary for 25 years. Father of three children: Daughters Haley 18; Morgan 16; and my son, Cooper 9.Occupation: Attorney in private practice Mock Trial Coach - Glenbard South High SchoolEducation: JD Loyola School of Law BA cum laude in Communications from Loyola University ChicagoCivic involvement: York Township Republican Committeeman Baseball Coach - Lombard Park District Basketball Coach - Upward Sports Free and Accepted Mason Friends of the DuPage TheatreElected offices held: Lombard Trustee, District 3 - 2009 to presentHave you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: NoCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 Eliminate wasteful or unnecessary spending and make government officials (elected and professional staff) more fiscally responsible.Government should diligently seek ways to cut spending instead of solely focusing on generating revenue.Key Issue 2 Find more efficient, cost-effective ways to deliver services to the community.Consider combining some services with the cooperation of local government agencies and outsourcing some to private companies.As full-time employees retire look at converting some positions to part-time to reduce total compensation packages.Key Issue 3 Property taxes in DuPage County need to be looked at in a comprehensive manner.In some instances, property taxes are out-of-control and many homeowners believe the tax burden is not equally distributed.It's time to take an innovative look at the entire system and consider new models that are fair and universally understood.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?As a Trustee in Lombard, I have led the effort of achieving financial accountability and responsibility.There have been no sacred cows.From the use of village credit cards, perks for department heads, and even police and fire, there has been no expense that has not had to undergo scrutiny.There are now policies and procedures in place to continue investigating and eliminating those old time-honored, but outdated legacy spending practices.My colleagues have bought into and are committed to furthering that agenda.I believe I can have the same effect on a larger scale in county government.I'm running because I too am a taxpayer who wants our government to operate within the confines of their budget, and I believe it can.I have the political will to make that case.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?In village government we have no alternative but to balance our budget. If revenue is down, a decrease in spending must follow if it is not your intention to raise taxes.I am proud to serve on a board that has demonstrated reluctance to raise taxes and are intent on being fiscally responsible and have been willing to make difficult decisions.I aim to bring that kind of discipline and share it with new colleagues in a larger government body that needs to be just as accountable.I have championed the fight to eliminate red light cameras; we did.I joined with others to establish a transparency policy that is second to none.I have also led the effort to help small business owners whose success adds to the vitality and economic viability of the village.How can the county best manage its growth, growing diversity?DuPage County and especially district 2 is a very mature area.It seems there is limited opportunity for much more growth.There are obvious zoning tools that can be employed to ensure that we don't grow beyond our resources.Density and flooding have been key issues in many areas of the county.Any new growth needs to be examined very carefully so as to not cause hardship to existing residents.Diversity happens on its own.We live in a desirable place where people want to come and live.Applying the laws of basic fairness and equality will enhance our community.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?Elected officials should make every reasonable attempt to attend meetings. On the village board I have missed maybe three meetings in three years. The county board is not a volunteer position.Members are adequately compensated and should rarely miss a meeting. Excessive absenteeism should result in a member voluntarily stepping down.I would support a measure to force out a member who chronically misses meetings.I will be there for the overwhelming majority of roll calls, as I am now.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?Is the pay too high?Probably.Every elected official who asks (or votes) to lower the pay of his subordinates should be willing to take the same or deeper cuts in their own salary. County board members should not receive a pension.All pensions for elected part-time legislators should be abolished!Benefits and retirement perks are not afforded in the private sector for part-time employees and certainly shouldn't be in government.I absolutely will take, and have taken, a pledge to that effect and I will vote to do so at every opportunity.