Trevor Orsinger: 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: WheatonWebsite: www.trevororsinger.comTwitter: @trevororsingerFacebook: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: DuPage County board District 4 Age: 39Family: Wife is Megan Orsinger. We have three kids: Claire (10), Nora (8), and Colin (4)Occupation: AttorneyEducation: - St. Mikes in Wheaton for gradeschool - St. Ignatius College Prep in Chicago for high school - The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. - The John Marshall Law School for Juris Doctor - Depaul University for MBA.Civic involvement: - Lieutenant Colonel in the Air National Guard - Staff Judge Advocate for VFW in Wheaton, Illinois - Volunteer attorney with the Pro Bono Network.Elected offices held: None.Questions 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?My roots in this community run deep. I was born and raised in Wheaton, and with my wife, Meg, and kids, we live less than a mile away from where I grew up. In 1920, my great-grandparents built a house in Glen Ellyn. My parents met while teaching at Fenton High School in Bensenville. They married in 1968 and moved to Wheaton in 1974. My mom retired from Fenton high school, and my dad taught at the College of DuPage up until his death in 1995. My mom still lives in the same house, almost 44 years later. This community gave me so much, helped to shape my view of the world, and where I am exceptionally fortunate to raise my children. Now more than ever, the board needs independent leadership and a voice of reason to truly serve the needs of this community. I regularly hear how my friends and neighbors want to leave the area because taxes are too high, and the state's financial situation is in great peril. DuPage County is uniquely poised to attract new businesses, serve as a model for how local governments spend taxpayer money, and otherwise lead the way in determining America's next chapter. As we approach a budget deficit in 2018, the Board has not established a clear path to resolve an emerging fiscal crisis within the county. That has to change, and a new economic method has to be forged to keep our citizens here while attracting new residents and businesses.What is your stance on county board members' pay? Too high, too low, just right? Would you propose any changes?The pay for the board members is probably too high, especially considering the salaries of board members in Kane, Lake, and Will counties however, before we begin to truly debate that issue, we must carefully examine the additional benefits some board members receive. No member should receive access to medical benefits or a pension program. One of the foundational tenants of my campaign is Ãâ#128;™service before self,Ãâ#128;œ a theme I adopted from my days in the Air Force. We seem to be moving away from the idea that those who are lucky enough to be elected to serve DuPage County owe its citizens a high degree of care, especially with regard to finances. It is troubling that the board voted to take a pay raise in 2016, a vote that shows many members will put their own interests ahead of its citizenry. That raise needs to be immediately repealed. When DuPage is looking to cut sheriff positions because of budgetary constraints, we need to examine our priorities.With DuPage County's budget being squeezed by the state funding reductions, what initiatives would you support to increase revenue and/or save money?Before there is any discussion of increasing revenues, the Board needs to prioritize how it spends taxpayer money. One example is what the board expends for lobbyists. In 2017, that amounted to about $366,000. The projected amount for 2018 is over $358,000. Within the 2018 budget, there is a reduction of sheriff's deputies. It is anathema to me that this took place. If any lobbying is needed, the board should be doing it it's their job to advocate on behalf of all our residents and work to persuade state and federal lawmakers. Subcontracting that out doesn't make sense, especially when that means the number of sheriff's deputies is reduced. The Board must treat its budget like any other family in this county who has to make concerted decisions about how to spend their money. When I look at the budget and see the unnecessary expenses being authorized, I am less and less surprised as to why some of my friends and neighbors want to move elsewhere. They're paying high taxes without the overseeing body properly accounting for how that revenue is spent. The Board's responsibility is to serve as the guardians of tax payer money Ãcirc;#144; right now that is not taking place. One issue that I will immediately tackle when I'm elected is to reshape the procurement process in DuPage County. DuPage must adopt a model that implements controls for sole source contracts, eliminates donations to board members by contractors, and incentivizes local businesses to perform the work.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?DuPage County should endeavor to consolidate as much of the city and township resources without endangering any of its core public safety responsibilities. One of the other pillars in my campaign is to enhance economic vitality in our community. To the extent we can consolidate duplicative services, that must be done. While there are legitimate questions on why this process is not taking place more effectively, I believe the intent is well-placed and can serve as a way to achieve maximum cost savings.What initiatives, if any, do you have in mind for your specific county board district?My campaign rests on three core tenets: 1. Service Before Self 2. Enhancing Economic Vitality and, 3. One DuPage. One DuPage is the idea that we can collaboratively solve problems that affect all of our neighbors. One DuPage is a call to action for elected officials, civil servants, and concerned citizens to shed party differences and seek the best answers to our most pressing problems. Right now, we are not a unified DuPage. Our infrastructure, storm water and transportation systems have been neglected by elected officials stuck in the 20th Century. One DuPage ensure all voices are heard and seeks creative bipartisan solutions to improve basic systems to ensure all residents and businesses are safe. I will roll out the specific provisions over the next few months but will focus on a few core areas that will utilize all available resources, develop long-term planning strategies, and strengthen the community so many people call home.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?I am a veteran of the United States Air Force and continue to serve in the reserve component for the Air National Guard. I'm also a veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Veterans issues are extremely important to me and my family. I would like to ensure some opportunities are opened for those residents of DuPage with the expansion of veteran courts and opportunities for veteran-owned businesses.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Congresswoman Cheri Bustos Ãcirc;#144; she is a remarkable person and legislator, willing to work with colleagues across the aisle for the betterment of her community.What is the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?My parents taught me that we must serve others in what we do, and that we must act responsibly with the gifts we've been given.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?My father passed away when I was 17. If I had a mulligan, I'd spend my last 18 months with him differently.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?I majored in philosophy Ãcirc;#144; it served as a springboard to my thought process and served me well as I pursued my JD and MBA.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Walk humbly amidst worldly applause.