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://www.electzannis.comOffice sought: DuPage County board District 2Age: 55Family: Daughter - Perri Elaine Miologos, 26 yrs. old Son - Kevin John Miologos, 23 yrs. oldOccupation: President, Oak Brook Real Estate, Inc.Education: Bachelor of Science - Political Science University of Illinois at Chicago - 1978Civic involvement: Oak Brook Historical Society\York Woods Community Association Board Member Brook Forest Elementary School - PTA Treasurer Butler Jr. High - PTA President Annunciation Cathedral Ball Executive Committee Member Hinsdale Central Football - Film and Produce Football Highlights DVDElected offices held: Trustee - Village of Oak Brook, 2001 - 2005 Trustee - Village of Oak Brook, 2009 - Present Trustee Liaison to Greater Oak Brook Chamber of Commerce York Township Committeeman - Precinct #123Have you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: NoCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 Maintaining a fiscally conservative budget: To analyze and identify opportunities in an effort to provide better services while decreasing the budget. Areas of opportunities include eliminating redundancies, consolidating where possible, and privatising if appropriate.Key Issue 2 Supporting the current movement towards pension reform by eliminating pension ABUSE including salary spiking and excessive pension benefits. Do you realize that the Top 10 Pensions in Illinois total more than $3.3million per year?!Key Issue 3 Promoting Transparency throughout DuPage County. Every organization should be held accountable and "graded" on their transparency just as local municipalities are "graded". Every citizen should be able to log on to any DuPage County organization and read a complete profile and financials of how money is received and spent.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?This is my 1st time running for a County position. As a 2 term Village Trustee in Oak Brook I have a tremendous amount of experience that I would like to bring to the county. During my tenure we consolidated government and reduced the budget so that today Oak Brook is in an outstanding fiscal condition - so much so that we far exceed our 6 month reserve by more that $2.5million. That is an extraordinary accomplishment given the current economic times.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?My priorities are continuing to reduce the size of county government, continuing to work on "good government" throughout all departments, fiscal accountability and transparency by all departments, and providing outstanding quality services to all of our taxpayers!!! I am an independent minded individual that has the strength to stand strong, to be accountable to the voters that will hopefully elect me, and to believe that whatever we do, and whatever decisions we make, we have to remember that above all...common sense good government must always prevail!How can the county best manage its growth, growing diversity?Growth and Growing diversity is best managed by Identifying it, Understanding it Characteristics, Knowing its Drivers and Proactively Instituting Policies, Processes and Infrastructure to Support it. Change can often be overwhelming but if managed well change can be very productive and very exciting!!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 have been at most County Board Meetings throughout the past few months, I have attended many of the sub-committee meetings, and I have toured all of the departments and met their directors. Generally, I am at the county every Tuesday and I am very aware of the attendance records of the current county board members. Yes, attendance is very important but more important is the preparation that happens before the meeting. It is very clear to see who spends time preparing and who doesn't. My experience as a 2 term Village Trustee in Oak Brook have taught me that merely attending meetings is not a good indicator of someone's commitment to the job. Some board members commitment to the job is extraordinary and we should be careful not to make blanket statements that would cast a shadow over them. Some board members attendance is excellent ...but clearly they are not engaged.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?As an Oak Brook Village Trustee I can easily spend 25 hours per week working on village issues. If I win the position of County Board Member this would be my 1st involvement with a pension program. I have a strong position against PENSION ABUSE. We must reform the current system - it's just not possible to continue on the current course. We must all join together and work toward a common goal of pension reform!!