DuPage board candidates debate outreach efforts

A longtime incumbent on the DuPage County Board says he's always been accessible to residents who reach out to him.

But his opponent in the Nov. 4 election is promising to be the type of board member who reaches out to the constituents.

Democrat Jeremy Custer is hoping to unseat Republican incumbent Grant Eckhoff in a county board race that will determine who represents county board District 4, which includes all or parts of Addison, Bloomingdale, Carol Stream, Glen Ellyn, Glendale Heights, Lisle, Lombard, Wheaton and Winfield.

If elected, Custer says he would pursue a plan to improve the way county government serves its citizens. The proposal includes opening a full-time constituent service office that would hear from District 4 residents and be responsive to their needs.

Custer said during a recent Daily Herald endorsement interview that the office "would be responsive on service ends and also on policy ends."

"I have firsthand knowledge of being able to do that," said Custer, who works for state Sen. Tom Cullerton. "That's what I do for a living."

The 26-year-old Glendale Heights resident said a location for the office hasn't been determined, but it would be centrally located.

In addition, Custer said he would provide a weekly e-newsletter and hold monthly town hall meetings. He said he would use his own money to pay for the services.

Eckhoff, meanwhile, says the county already does a great job of community outreach.

The phone numbers and email addresses for the 18 county board members are listed on the county's website. As a result, Eckhoff says he often gets emails from residents who live within and outside his district.

When constituents contact him with an issue, Eckhoff said he connects them with a county staff member who can help. Staff members also get assigned to follow-up with residents who address the board during meetings.

"Other than that, I'm not sure what more we could do," Eckhoff said. "I guess we could send out more newsletters and things like that. But then when we do that, we get accused of using that as a political tool and a way to get re-elected."

Eckhoff, meanwhile, is highlighting his efforts to pursue consolidation.

"I try to take on tough issues that people talk about but don't seem to get done," he said.

The 55-year-old attorney from Wheaton said he and others are exploring proposals to consolidate fire districts and fire departments. The goal is to deliver a high level of fire protection and emergency medical services and save taxpayers money.

"That has been a tremendously long process," Eckhoff said. "It's very difficult to do. You've got a lot of people who are resistant to it."

The candidate who is victorious in November will get a 4-year term representing District 4.