Elaine Zannis: 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: Oak BrookWebsite: www.ElectZannis.comTwitter: Candidate did not respond.Facebook: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: DuPage County Board District 2 Age: 58Family: Daughter: Perri E. Miologos (29 yrs old)Son: Kevin J. Miologs (26 years old)Occupation: Real Estate Broker/President/Oak Brook Real Estate, Inc.Education: University of Illinois BSPolitical ScienceCivic involvement: President of PTA - Oak Brook, Butler Jr. HighTreasurer of PTA - Oak Brook, Brook Fores ElementaryBoard Member - Oak Brook Historical SocietyMember - Greater Oak Brook Chamber of Commerce/Liaison for Economic DevelopmentMember - Oak Brook Women's ClubElected offices held: Oak Brook Village Trustee (2 terms)Exec Board - United Hellenic Voters of AmericaExec Board - Illinois Federation of Republican WomenVP Membership - York Township Republican Women's OrganizatonIllinois State Central Committee: Deputy Committeewoman- Congressional District #6Committeewoman - York Township Republican OrganizationQuestions Answers With DuPage County's budget being squeezed by state fundung cuts and other factors, what initiatives would you support to increase revenue and/or save money?Increasing revenue by increasing business creating jobs has always been an effective way to drive the economy. I support that would encourage the continued efforts of Choose DuPage and any other avenues for economic development.I would support cost savings by "sharing services" with local municipalities and townships. For example: a municipality can save money by purchasing salt (for the roads) through the county than through the state negotiated contracts. As a result, DuPage can negotiate better pricing thus saving the county the municipality money. It's a WIN-WIN for everyone. There are so many other opportunities to do the same.What would you like to see happen to the county fairgrounds in Wheaton? Should the DuPage County Fair be moved? Why or why not?The County Fair is a great event enjoyed by so many. Generally the Fair is not a financial burden to the budget (it receives funding from the state) yet the buildings are getting older and that will have to be addressed. There is currently a committee reviewing other options locations.These grounds are the last vacant property on the Dupage County Campus should be guarded diligently. I believe a 20 yr strategic comprehensive business plan outlining needs and functional use is imperative.Most Importantly - we have to do what is in the best interest of our residents.What should the county do to improve transportation throughout DuPage and specifically in your district?Generally we have a very good network of transportation consisting of roadways, trains and bus systems (and it can always be better). The easiest and least expensive way to improve roadway transportationis to add "right-only/left-only" dedicated lanes to improve through-put. Increasing train ridership can be easily achieved by provided easier more convenient parking (which would also help off-load traffic from the roadways), and by providing dedicated bus routes to/from train stations and the workplace.In my district: all major roadways within a 5 mile radius around Rte 83 22nd Street are all in need of roadway traffic analysisHow do you rate the county government on transparency and the public's access to records? If you consider it adequate, please explain why. If you think improvements are needed, please describe them and why they are important.The County has made great strides over the past 10 years and are a nationwide model for many government agencies. Rigorous Transparency Protocols have a direct effect on reducing FOIA requests and their associated costs. Additionally recent legislation now requires any agency that DuPage "has the power to appoint to" must follow the same rigorous transparency protocols. This is great legislation!Although DuPage has taken giant steps and improved the process tremendously there is always room for improvement.Someday I would like to see the County Checkbook (in its entirety) online.Please list any elected office you have ever run for and what the result of that election was. Have you ever been appointed to fill an unexpired term?I ran for Oak Brook Village Board twice and I won both times.I ran for DuPage County Board and won overwhelmingly in the primary and lost the general by only a few votesWhat other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?1)Lower Taxes, 2)Share Contracted Services and 3)Senior Servces:1) During the past decade DuPage has increased taxes only a few times while maintaining our AAA bond rating keeping the county solvent through rigorous budgeting --- thus encouraging businesses to settle here...creating jobs..and growing DuPage's economy2) Finding ways to work with municipalities, townships schools to jointly contract services for overall cost savings. A Perfect example is the maintenance of lights in Aurora/DuPage.3) DuPage population is getting older the number of residents at/below poverty levels is increasing. We must ensure our budget can will support DuPage's changing population.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Governor Jim Edgar: I've met him several times inspired by his ability to bring opposing sides together to achieve "what's best for the people state"What is the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?1) -Take care of those less fortunate2) Live within your means3) The value of a Dollar4) Be Conservative in your spendingIf life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?Starting at a younger age to ....care for those less fortunate. I began volunteering when I was 21 - I wish I had started sooner.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?Public Speaking: It taught me how to logically organize a presentation (orally visually)If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Save for the future.