Republicans sweep DuPage County Board races

Republicans swept to a major victory on the DuPage County Board Tuesday, easily winning all five contested seats.

The election leaves just two Democrats on the 18-member board.

Fichtner wins in District 1:

In the northeastern part of the county, Republican incumbent Paul Fichtner of Elmhurst won re-election with roughly 63 percent of the vote over Democratic challenger Rolly Waller of Bensenville.

During the campaign, the candidates agreed that some towns neighboring O'Hare International Airport have been negatively impacted by increased jet noise since the opening of a new runway in October 2013. But they disagreed over what the county board should do to try to reduce airplane noise.

Waller, a Bensenville resident, said he would ask state lawmakers to enact legislation establishing additional sound monitoring to determine whether airplanes are generating noise beyond legal limits.

If airplanes are generating noise beyond those limits, Waller said the state should fine airlines that violate noise regulations and use revenue from those fines to soundproof houses and assist homeowners who want to sell.

Fichtner said he's committed to working with communities to coordinate efforts to combat the high level of noise from the air traffic.

He has been appointed chairman of an ad hoc committee that will provide insight and direction on the issue of O'Hare noise.

Curran choice in District 3:

Voters in the southeast corner of DuPage overwhelmingly re-elected incumbent John Curran with roughly 63 percent of the vote over Democratic challenger Pamela Miles of Downers Grove.

Curran, a Woodridge resident who has served on the board since 2008, promised during the campaign to continue pursuing ways to deliver county services more efficiently. He said the board should pursue consolidation and shared services to control costs.

Eckhoff victor in District 4:

In District 4, Republican incumbent Grant Eckhoff of Wheaton captured roughly 62 percent of the vote in defeating Democrat Jeremy Custer of Glendale Heights.

Eckhoff, who first was elected to the board in 2002, is exploring ways to consolidate fire districts and fire departments. The 55-year-old attorney said the goal is to deliver a high level of fire protection and emergency medical services and save taxpayers money.

Khouri victorious in District 5:

Republican incumbent Tonia Khouri secured a second term representing the county's District 5 by garnering 61 percent of the vote in defeating Democratic challenger Regina Brent.

During the campaign, the candidates voiced differing views on whether the county is doing enough to help unemployed and underemployed residents find jobs.

Brent, a 60-year-old retired state employee who lives in Aurora, said county government must serve a role in helping those individuals find jobs where they can earn a living wage.

Khouri, a 44-year-old business owner who lives in Aurora, said the county is working to attract manufacturing companies. In addition to providing grant money to nonprofit agencies that offer job training, DuPage has a program that helps 18- to 21-year-olds start careers in manufacturing, Khouri said.

Wiley winner in District 6:

Voters in the northwest part of the county chose Republican challenger Kevin Wiley over Democratic incumbent Laurie Nowak of Bartlett. Wiley captured roughly 55 percent of the vote in the closest of the five county board elections.

Both candidates said during the campaign that flooding is a serious problem in the county. They also agreed the solution isn't a state law that gives DuPage the ability to charge a countywide stormwater utility fee.

Nowak said DuPage shouldn't enact the utility fee, which would charge property owners based on the amount of stormwater leaving their land. Wiley, of West Chicago, said he opposes the fee because of the impact it would have on churches and other tax-exempt entities that would be required to pay it.