Brian Krajewski: 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: Downers GroveWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Twitter: Candidate did not respond.Facebook: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: DuPage County Board District 3 Age: 54Family: Wife - MaryOccupation: CPA AttorneyEducation: B.A. in Accounting Illinois Benedictine CollegeJ.D. John Marshall Law SchoolL.L.M. in Taxation John Marshall Law SchoolCivic involvement: Current Board Member-Education Foundation of Downers Grove District 58. Current Board Member-Downers Grove Rotary Club.Current Board Member-Downers Grove Economic Development Corporation. Former St. Mary's of Gostyn Basketball Coach.Former Downers Grove Youth Baseball Coach.Former Board Member-West Suburban Humane Society.Former Board Member-Downers Grove Chamber of Commerce.Former Co-founder and Chairman of Turn Dreams Into Reality to benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation.Elected offices held: Downers Grove Mayor 1999 - 2007DuPage County Board 2010 - PresentQuestions Answers What is your stance on county board members' pay? Is it too high, too low, or just right? Would you propose any changes?For County Board members who actually do the work that is required of a County Board member the pay is appropriate. At least 1,000 hours per year are required of each County Board member to adequately serve in this position. A change that I would propose would be to decrease the pay of board members who are consistently late and/or miss meetings as prompt attendance is not only expected particularly of one who is a public servant but also shows a lack of respect for the position and the entire board in addition to doing a disservice to the residents.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?The question of pensions has been answered by our State legislators who just passed a bill which the Governor signed into law that eliminates pensions for all new County Board members. This new law only targets County Board members and as is typical Springfield legislators pass laws that apply to select groups of individuals while exempting certain others they favor. The legislators still allow thousands of part time (1,000 hours worked) employees including municipal elected officials, township elected officials and the legislators themselves to receive pensions. I support the original Senate bill that applied to all part time elected officials.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?DuPage County needs to continue the Accountability, Consolidation and Transparency ("ACT") initiative. Despite saving millions of dollars already from the ACT initiative, there are still many more opportunities to use shared services and consolidate and streamline government to save taxpayer dollars. On the revenue side we need to grow our county tax base by working with our local municipalities to foster a greater economic environment for businesses to prosper and to improve our promotion of tourism in DuPage County.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?The Accountability, Consolidation and Transparency ("ACT") initiative has been one of the most significant programs undertaken by DuPage County. Its success in consolidation and efficiencies has saved DuPage County residents millions in tax dollars. The ACT initiative has become a model for other governmental entities including most recently Lake and McHenry Counties. DuPage County must continue to lead the efforts to promote shared services between local entities and streamline and consolidate governmental entities.What initiatives, if any, do you have in mind for your specific county board district?The initiatives I would like to promote for my specific county board district (District 3) are transportation projects including resurfacing, intersection and road improvements, and legislation to allow for non- Home Rule villages to use a portion of their hotel tax for economic development which can also lead to an increase in the village's sales tax revenue.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?Important issues include: 1.) Continue the ACT initiative to further consolidate and streamline county operations; 2.) Continue to foster economic development in DuPage County; 3.) Improve the promotion of tourism in DuPage County; 4.) Transfer more RTA sales tax dollars to the Transportation fund to pay for pre-engineering studies which will allow us to leverage federal dollars for more road projects in DuPage County; 5.) Finalize the implementation of the ERP system; 6.) Finalize the reorganization of DuPage Animal Care and Control and move forward with phase two of the building addition.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Pope FrancisWhat is the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?Strong work ethicIf life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?TravelWhat was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?Math - It help me develop the skills to solve problems.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?The importance of integrity.