DuPage County Board Chairman Peickert: Candidate Profile

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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:BioQA Bio City: ElmhurstWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: DuPage County Board Chairman Age: Candidate did not respond.Family: Widower with 3 children and 5 grandchildrenOccupation: RetiredEducation: B.A. in Education M.A. in Guidance and CounselingCivic involvement: Coach - Mary Queen of Heaven Baseball Mary Queen of Heaven PTA Churchville PTA President -York Dukes Wrestling Club Board Member - St. Joseph AcademyElected offices held: Democratic Precinct Committeeman Vice-Chair Addison Township Democratic Organization Chair - Democratic Party of DuPageHave you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: NoQuestions Answers Why are you running for county board chairman? What two specific initiatives do you want to lead to improve the county?I can act as a role of collaborator as I believe in seeking consensus on important issue. I will look for ways to involved the taxpayers on important issues before recommending action on issues. As a Democrat I have close ties to the Democratic controlled House and Senate in Springfield. Real Estate Taxes. This task force has been in existence for a year that has not yet produced a report. We need to more forward on this issue. Transportation - Western access to O'Hare, Western Terminal, Reevaluate PACE bus routes, parking at train stations, etc.What is the role of the county board chairman and how does that match your skill set?The county board chairman has the role of leader, visionary, communicator, lobbyist, and local government liaison. This should be a full time position based on the salary. As a former union advocate and trainer for Fortune 500 companies (Microsoft, Exxon-Mobil, MetLife, Walgreen, etc.) in negotiations I have represented both labor and management. I have the skills and training that are important in carrying out the day to day functions of the board.WHow far should the county carry its efforts to consolidate local units of government? What specifically will you do about it?Consolidation should result in more efficiency not just for the sake of reducing costs. We need to look at areas that need additional funds and used the money saved to address those needs. Identify specific units of government that could be eliminated or consolidated and determine the effect on DuPage residents. Also identify specific areas where additional funding is needed.In 2013, state lawmakers gave DuPage the ability to impose a countywide stormwater utility fee. Should the county enact the fee to pay for efforts to reduce flooding? Why or why not?The stormwater fee of "rain tax" is not based on land value and does not exempt certain property such as schools. Any tax of this nature should go to a referendum. We should use other sources of revenue to fund the storm water fund such as a portion of any increase in sales tax revenue. This should be used until the current bond debt is paid off when we will then have additional revenue to address the needs in this area.Describe your position regarding the balance between county spending and revenues as it exists today and describe the chief threats you see looming and how the county should deal with them.We always need to look down the road and anticipate possible decreases in revenue and increase in expenditures. This is the very thing that happened with the Water Commission several years ago when it found itself going from a huge surplus to a $60 million deficit. Infrastructure, transportation, service to seniors, etc. The continuing increase in the budget of the sheriff's department also needs to be addressed. We need alternative ways to make this department more efficient and should not merely rubber stamp the request for funds.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?The following issue need attention: Jobs. Attractive investors and companies. Drug (especially heroin) problems O'Hare noise concerns Use of lobbyists Campaign Finance Reform specifically "pay to play" Reducing the size of the county board. Property taxes Need for township governmentPlease name one current leader who most inspires you.Governor Pat Quinn. 30 years of proven work for the 99.9%. Brought much needed integrity the office. Willing to make tough decisionsWhat's the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?Family always comes first. Spending time with family should be our number one priority.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?I would spend more time with my school books. Although I have an MA degree, I would spend more time reading.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?Mathematics. Most things in life and work involve income and expenditures. Knowing and using alternative currencies helps to deal with those issuesIf you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Education is the key to fulfilling your dreams and you learn more by listening then by talking.