Janice Anderson: 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: NapervilleWebsite: www.janicefordupage.comTwitter: JaniceforDupageFacebook: JaniceforDupageOffice sought: DuPage County board District 5 Age: 54Family: Parents - John Joyce Toth - deceased Sister - Karin Toth - Irvine, CA Rescue Dog - Colby Grew up in Lake County, Indiana (The Region) and moved to Bolingbrook/Naperville. Father was a high school teacher at Proviso East HS and mother was a secretary. Mother's parents were farmers and a teacher in Central Indiana, and fathers parents were welders for Sinclair Oil in Whiting, IN. and a homemaker.Occupation: Executive Assistant - CEO- Lextech Global Services Downers Grove, ILEducation: Bolingbrook High School - HS Diploma North Central College - BA - Political Science and Masters of Leadership Studies Previously Held Series 7 and 63 Securities LIcensesCivic involvement: Member - Rotary After Dark - Naperville Member - League of Women Voters - Naperville Previously HOA President and board member Literacy DuPage - Board Member Member - and former board member - Naperville Township Republican Organization Member - Lisle Township Republican OrganizationElected offices held: Naperville Township Trustee Trustee, Will County Regional Board of Schools Vice Chairman - Village of Bolingbrook Plan Commission, Member, Village of Bolingbrook Police Fire Board President, Court of Cress Creek Homeowners AssociationQuestions Answers Why are you running for this office, whether for re-election or election for the first time? Is there a particular issue that motivates you? If so, what?I was appointed vice chairman of the technology committee and have been actively working to follow through on IT investments for DuPage County. The only way for the County to meet the needs of the future is with a robust IT system that allows us to improve productivity and expand services without increasing personel costs. I have been working with our county wide officials to source a new tax system for the treasurers office. This is vitally important to the operation of county government and all of our local governments here in DuPage County. Yes, its going to be a big investment but we must take advantage of bonding options available to the County, and a financing package allowing us to pay for the bonds without any increase in taxes. We must continue to look for further ways to maximize operations in our IT network and expand services without increased costs. This will require the Board to constantly review and seek out new ideas in every area of County Operations. I hope to continue with this work over the next term.What is your stance on county board members' pay? Too high, too low, just right? Would you propose any changes?Compensation for Elected Officials, as well as administration and staff, should be based on the position and the duties, not on the person. I believe it is important to have a professionally diverse board with as many career and community experiences as possible to help make important decisions. Doing the job properly requires a lot of time, even more time when a board member becomes chairman of a committee.With DuPage County's budget being squeezed by the state funding reductions, what initiatives would you support to increase revenue and/or save money?We need to apply the best practices of successful business operations to the operations of government. Joint purchasing and joint contracting are saving industries money. We need to optimize our use of technology to streamline operations and increase efficiency. At the county level we need to work cooperatively with our municipalities and other agencies to cut costs and decrease local property taxes. We need to take a look at our assets and resources and determine what is out-dated or underutilized. County personnel policies should be updated and consider flex-time and remote work to keep costs down at the County buildings.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?In every decision we need to make sure we are safeguarding the public dollar. Consolidation, as well as resource sharing that I mentioned above, can help lessen the tax burden on the property owner. But consolidation has to be more than a buzzword. And it needs to be based on financial fact, not emotion. There must be a demonstrated savings or efficiency and I will advocate for the most detailed financial analyses possible. The highest mandate of government is to protect our citizens' public health and safety. Consolidation must always take that into consideration and cannot jeopardize public safety.What initiatives, if any, do you have in mind for your specific county board district?An issue that is widespread in our County and in District 5 is the opioid crisis. The formation of the DuPage Heroin-Opioid Prevention and Education (HOPE) Taskforce will be vitally important. I look forward to working with law enforcement, public officials, schools and other not for profits in combatting this horrible addiction.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?Another issue I feel strongly about is having our county be a leader in area of mental health. Working with the private sector to form a crisis center would be a more effective alternative to hospital emergency rooms for those with a mental illness or behavioral crisis. They can also save millions of dollars.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.John Kasich has the ability to cross the aisle to get things done. Its not about being extreme but working together to accomplish things.What is the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?To tell the truth. If you are not true to yourself, you cannot be true to the people you represent.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?To appreciate the value of time and learn to cherish every day especially to spend more time with loved ones who are no longer here.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?History. Life is about learning from the past. Civilization's successes have come about because leaders collaborated to achieve mutual goals.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Don't throw away your shot. The lyrics from Hamilton, the Musical, are poignant. We all have the opportunity to do good and effect change.