Gary Grasso: 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: Burr RidgeWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Twitter: Candidate did not respond.Facebook: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: DuPage County Board District 3 Age: 65Family: Janet Ryan Grasso, wife of 38 years; 6 children and two grandsonsOccupation: AttorneyEducation: Georgetown University, 1973Fordham U School of Law, 1978Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies - 1 yr certificate, Bologna CenterCivic involvement: DuPage Heroin CoalitionRobert Crown Board: 2015St. John of the Cross Parish Council and School Board, 1990sElected offices held: DuPage County Board 2012-presentChairman, Emergency Telephone (911) Board, 2014-presentMayor of Burr Ridge, 2005-2012;DuPage Board of Health 1999-2011;Burr Ridge Trustee, 2003-05;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 believe it is commensurate with our duties and obligations which include my service as Chairman of the Emergency Telephone (911) Board and various other committees - Judicial Public Service, Transit chairman, Public Works, Health Human Services and Development. For me, the question is are we doing our jobs? DuPage has not increased the tax levy in years, its been a leader in consolidated services and positions,and we have a triple A bond rating - the state, Chicago and CPS have almost junk ratings.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 oppose pensions for Board members and did not sign up for one. I also oppose them for statue reps and senators who voted to end county board pensions, but left their own generous pensions fully intact. So, I will not receive or take a pension - and would advocate that the reps and senators do the same as to their pensions.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?1. Continue to look at consolidation and shared services with municipalities and townships. For example, ETBS has consolidated from 22 to essentially 3 PSAPs by mid 2017. 2. Approach the contiguous municipalities about covering the unincorporated areas in the eastern part of the County in order to get the Sheriff out of patrolling the small unincorporated area, and thus save considerable tax dollars and make better use of deputies to effect public safety. The local police can respond faster and in greater force if circumstances require.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 support the ACT Initiative. DuPage is the leader in consolidation as the Governor recognized in his state of state speech. Government has to be reduced and its personnel cross-utilized, Units of government must collaborate on services and look for ways to consolidate. One example, is the 911 Board's policies that have resulted in reducing the number of PSAPs (public safety answering points) from 22-3 in the last seven years. I chair the 911-board. Through the hard work of many others before me, we will save dollars while providing better 911 services to save lives and property.What initiatives, if any, do you have in mind for your specific county board district?Two: (1) Heroin crisis programs - (a) we have to extend the prevention program that the Heroin Coalition Committee began with Robert Crown Center and (b) I want to explore if we its feasible to create a private-public program of long term care for opioid dependents (2) I want to explore incentives to municipalities and unincorporated residents to consolidate which will reduce the need for Sheriff patrols and County zoning that often conflicts with neighboring villages.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?Pension reform, term limits and redistricting by a neutral panel. Pensions must start later, the 3% compounding increase must have a limited duration and then stop, multiple pensions and spiking salaries must be eliminated. Term limits are needed - we can debate the number of years or terms - but term limits are a must. Redistricting too is needed to preserve the integrity of our state electoral process. As a result of unlimited terms and gerrymandering, we have ceded our democracy in Illinois to one person - Mike Madigan. That is wrong.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Bruce Rauner - he's tenacious in his confrontation with Madigan. The Governor is fighting for the quality of life in IllinoisWhat is the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?Family is First. It is the core of one's existence and values.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?Started in public service much sooner. I have been given opportunities and strongly in giving back.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?History generally, and American History specifically. It taught me what people sacrificed and contributed to build this great nation.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Life is not fair, but you must be.