Regina Brent: 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: AuroraWebsite: Citizens For Regina Brent.comTwitter: Candidate did not respond.Facebook: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: DuPage County Board District 5 Age: 62Family: Mother of one son, Morris G. Brent,a Navy veteran, Author and Writer;Training Director of an educational and youth facility, as well as a community activist. I'm Grandmother of Tyonna Brent, Law student at University of Miami, and Grandson, Aden Brent, 13yrs old, future Paleontologist/Meteorologist whichever comes first. Daughter of Zebedee and Drucilla Brent,mother is 95 years old, her sisters are 94 yrs. old and their Aunt is 98 yrs old living in Tennesee. I am one of 16 siblings...there are nine of us left. We thank God for good genes and the longevity he has granted us in this family.Occupation: Illinois Attorney General's office-RetiredEducation: DuSable Highschool graduate located on the southside of Chicago.City of Chicago, Daley CollegeHarold Washington College, ChicagoNortheastern College in Chicago College of DuPage graduate: General Studies degreeI listed every college to let students know it's not always possible to go away to school but important to utilize education right in your community. We have very qualified educational institutions we could attend at a minimal cost that could cut out high interest loans just to afford a proper education. As a board member, I would promote neighborhood colleges and recruit alumni members to reinvest their time to others.Civic involvement: President of Unity Partnership,Inc. I developed a committee that want to partner with police in order to build and bridge a new kind of relationship with those that serve and protect us on a daily basis. We want the police officers to understand the culture and diversity of Asian and Muslims, Hispanics and the African-American community. We want all parties to love and respect the quality of life. Life matters.Member of Sarah Allen Missionary Society: missionary for nursing homes, veterans, and global initiatives;Member of Naperville Women's ClubCommitteewoman for 44th precinct and member of Naperville Township Democratic Organization.Elected offices held: Elected for 44th Precinct Committeewoman of Naperville Township Democratic Organization. I became elected due to a woman who believed in my passion and dedication to increase the lives of those who had no voice. She inspired me to answer the call where I live and worship. In hindsight, we look back at those times when we had the ability to shine the light on the less fortunate, comfort the elderly and educate our youth to become larger than life. I believe helping to provide the essentials of life creates the fabric of a productive community and office for the people.Questions Answers What is your stance on county board members' pay? Is it too high, too low, or just right? Would you propose any changes?I think the salary is too high for a part-time county board position. During our interview at the Daily Herald, it was stated by my opponent that the county board's salary is compensation that remedies the short fall he is unable to earn at his law firm. I would think the taxpayers would perceive this type of attitude as one who does not have their best interest and just serving in the seat only to gain financial benefit.I am a retired state worker who served the citizens of Illinois for several years at a salary of $50,000 before I was promoted to a supervisory position. I had to earn my income based on my attendance and a full-time job performance ... this can be verified by the state. At times, I worked a part-time job, but my state job came first and I served with the best of my ability ... it was not just about financial gain. I doubt it seriously if many of the taxpayers know the county board is a part-time position.I would propose every board member give an account for the hours they put in on a weekly basis and it must be verified in order to assure accountability for earning their income. I promote success for anyone who wishes to better themselves for the sake of their families and future. However, I am not in agreement with employees or politicians earning top dollars while their constituents are not even abreast of the functions of the county board. I could substantiate the salary if I am elected because I intend to earn the income. Do you think county board members should receive pensions? Why or why not? If not, would you be willing to pledge not to take one? I pledge not to take a pension since I am paid an earned pension from the State of Illinois. We have taxpayers right here in DuPage County who work two and three jobs, earning minimum wages who may never see a pension because of constant layoffs, high unemployment or insufficient paying jobs.I think those members who have longevity on the county board should receive a pension, if by state law requirements the employee has served the hours and is eligible for such. I worked 30-plus years in order to be entitled to receive a compensated pension ... I lived up to the agency and the citizens' expectations and it was granted. I earned a decent pay for a lifetime pension and I expect everyone else to do the same. With DuPage County's budget being squeezed by state funding cuts and other factors, what initiatives would you support to increase revenue and/or save money? It's unfortunate to drive through our county and see strip malls actually stripped from lack of businesses in the community. While DuPage has several top commercial businesses, they can only employ so many people. I would take the initiative to work across the aisle in a bipartisan manner to support the recruitment of small businesses by offering a tax break incentive in order to put people to work so that we could increase spending and gain revenue.Right now, our young college graduates are leaving the county due to lack of employment and if they have no income there is no economical spending. I would consider merging departments without inflicting a layoff on employees. I would work with the other board members to come up with a resolution to reduce top paying salaries for different department heads or offer an early retirement package. I would propose a lower salary for incoming officials and minimize perks we can no longer afford ... eliminate the fat. What are your thoughts about the county's Accountability, Consolidation and Transparency Initiative? What role should DuPage play in efforts to streamline and consolidate local government? I heard my opponent state he would like to reduce the county board from 16 to eight members. I replied, #8220;we need more Democrats than that to serve on the board.#8221;Now that we are in an election, all of a sudden he wants to cut the county board representation by half ... how convenient? If the county board is ever going to reach it's fullest potential, it must first establish accountability for its past actions. I do not condone budget cuts on the backs of the middle class or the under-privileged ... it's unacceptable. The ACT initiative is a wish list that has not accomplished much when it comes to creating job opportunity for all races, a better transportation system or additional resources for the elderly, disabled and veterans. We still have a high rate of homelessness, a reduction of beds at the convalescent center and a possible stormwater tax facing us in the near future. Again, I would review the budget, trim the fat and merge departments that are top heavy with duplicated positions.How transparent could the board be if most taxpayers have no idea as to what the county actually does? I've worked with Republicans and learned about the theory of how to work #8220;smaller but smarter.#8221; It works quite well if you include yourself in the transitioning of cutting back on your salaries and perks ... now that's what I call consolidation. How about rolling up their sleeves, being willing and ready to work an average hourly work day. I plan to make myself available to the taxpayers and to keep them informed of our budgetary issues on a quarterly basis. Instead of hiring top-salaried lobbyists, how about going to Springfield to represent your constituents based on the oath board members take to become an elected public official? Every public official has a fiduciary duty to serve on behalf of the best interests of the people. While lobbyists are sometimes needed, perhaps they could be more beneficial to us by bringing commercialized companies into our communities to employ those from within instead of outside interests ... now that's another way to save money, too. If board members would do their job and not pay others to do it for them perhaps we could save much revenue, time and transportation. What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?A. First and foremost, I would like to develop an outreach plan for my constituents so I can understand how I am to better serve them. I will provide all the information requested of me ... there would be no need of a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request. It is imperative that the community is aware of the different type of functions board members use to maintain the county. It's the board member's duty to report to the community all information regarding lobbyists and their business interests, various contracts and how the bidding process works. We need to try and work on maintaining our AAA credit rating by appealing to companies that won't desert us and take our revenue with them. I want to also extend business opportunities to those who live in this lay of the land and whose origins are from many different ethnic backgrounds and culture. At present, there are 18 board members, 14 men and four women ... not one person of color. Hence, the board does not accurately represent the rich diversity of DuPage County.As an African-American, I will be the voice of inclusion, which is important but not the ultimate reason to become a board member. The ultimate reason is to serve all of the people of DuPage County.I want to work along with other members to develop a better transportation system that could provide a Pace bus service until the last closing business hour of the day that will ensure employees a decent and safe ride home.I'm dismayed with seeing women and middle-aged men during the midnight hours riding a bicycle to get back and forth to work in inclement weather after serving us eight to 10 hours a day in our fine business establishments. DuPage County residents deserve better and I intend to implement change if given the opportunity.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?I think DuPage County is one of the most beautiful places to live, to be educated and to raise a family. I know government can only do so much ... it's not what your county can always do for you but it's what you can do for your county as well. As a constituent and a precinct committeewoman, I am committed to forever speak for those who do not have a voice, stand for those who have no feet and lean not to my own judgment but to work with those board members, if and only if, they serve with integrity and a moral obligation to the people of this county.There are highly respected board members serving today, who have the grace and integrity to want change but are stagnated by others who want things to remain the same ... but I intend to break the routine in 2016!The elderly should not have to choose between their meals and medication, the homeless have a right to a warm place for shelter and our children deserve a top-quality education in exchange for the taxes politicians collect from us. As I canvass the area, I see the padlocks on the doors due to unemployment and a lack of mortgage payments; I hear the stories about health care and high premiums especially for the middle class who deserve that beautiful home and an affordable vacation during the seasons. I see the low-income providers working diligently and with pride while trying to make a decent living for their family by working several minimum wage jobs ... one day at Wal-Mart and the next day at a nearby nursing home. The middle class is no longer in the middle but we must remain hopeful that things will change. You may see the #8220;now hiring signs,#8221; but without skills you're not qualified, without transportation, how will you get to the job? I will work diligently to support carpool resources and promote it as a small business opportunity. I will support responsible ordinances to ensure a firm safety net for all parties concerned.While the county board has the option to grant increases for themselves, many of us are not privy to do so. We are not entitled to demand a pay raise on our jobs or even a perk or two in relations to reimbursements for travel expenditures. I would be remiss to accept a salary increase, because my conscious would not allow me due to those stories of unfortunate circumstances, I constantly hear from everyday hardworking folks living in DuPage. A board member must be in touch with it's constituency to know these issues really do exist. As a retiree, I intend to devote my time to serve ... I am available to do so.So yes, Vactor Stations, technology, highway infrastructures, stormwater and the ACT Initiative is well-written with good intentions. A responsible tax may not be the worst that could happen to us. However it was one of my favorite attorney generals who by the way, is a Republican, who said it best in one of his speeches: #8220;People don't care nothing about a politician's sophisticated legislative address. But they do care about making a living wage, putting food on their tables, a decent education for their children and taking their families on a vacation every now and then.#8221; This is very important to me and to our voters.When I become the 5th District county board member, I intend to help reinvent the middle class if they will grant me the chance to do so. I need your vote and later your support ... please come and stand with me. Let's break the routine in 2016 and vote.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.President Barack OBama...one of the greatest who overcame many obstacles that could have prohibited his ability to become President of this United States.What is the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?Our dad taught us never let yourself down and always be prepared to perform your duties and responsibilities. You never know whose watching you.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?Education. I was a teen mother who felt I needed to work hard to make ends meet. However, had I educated earlier, lookout world!What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?Spelling! I love to write because life is in words that describes our passion, feelings and emotions. Reading and writing is freedom for me.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?The golden rule: Treat people the way you want to be treated and help someone along the way. Believe in the power of God.