Grant Eckhoff: Candidate profile

Bio

Name: Grant Eckhoff

City: Wheaton

Website: www.electeckhoff.com

Twitter: None

Facebook: Grant Eckhoff

Party: Republican

Office sought: DuPage County Board member, District 4

Age: 59

Family: I have been married to Sheila for over 24 years. My parents, Ralph and Virginia, have been married for 60 years and live in Wheaton. My sister, Erica and her husband, Craig, live in Naperville and my brother, Ralph Jr., also lives in Wheaton. Sheila and I are proud owners of two shelter cats, Jordan and Payton.

Occupation: Attorney

Education: Wheaton Central High School (1977); Michigan State University with a Major in James Madison College Socio-Economic Policy Problems; and Juris Doctorate at Chicago-Kent IIT graduated with honors.

Civic involvement: St. Paul Lutheran Church and the Milton Township Republican Party.

Elected offices held: Wheaton City Council 1989-2002 and DuPage County Board 2002-present.

Questions & Answers

1. Why are you running for this office? Is there a particular issue that motivates you?

I am running because I believe I can continue to make a positive impact in District 4, the entire county and also have an impact on statewide issues. I have always worked to deliver essential governmental services at the lowest possible tax rate. I think it is essential that government look at how it conducts business on a day-to-day basis. To that end, I have advocated the consolidation of some governmental services to ease the stress of relying on property tax revenue. I have focused on the voluntary consolidation of fire departments and fire districts. My plan is that fire departments could merge if they believed it was in their own self-interest. However, the volunteer Glen Ellyn Fire Department, which its residents are justifiably proud of, could maintain its independent low cost, due to its volunteer nature, and would only consolidate if it chooses to do so.

I think my efforts, since 2008, have helped spur on the consolidation discussion on a statewide level. At the county we have consolidated our Youth Home with Kane County, saving approximately $10 million in seven years. I am also on the Emergency Telephone System Board where we have consolidated PSAPs (Public Service Access Points) for the police/fire and 911 calls from approximately 30 PSAPs to 3 PSAPs. This had reduced over $7 million in costs. We need to continue to work at consolidation because it is good government and because the cost of operating government is only going to continue to rise.

2. If you are an incumbent, describe three important initiatives you've led. If you're not an incumbent, describe three ways you would contribute to the board.

As I stated above, my main focus over the years has been to promote the consolidation of government. Illinois has move units of government than any other state in the union so the completion of consolidation efforts will take a long time. As a result of my efforts, the communities of Wheaton, Carol Stream, Winfield, West Chicago and Bloomingdale have come together to form the "alliance." These fire departments now train together and have the closest unit respond to a call, even if it is not in that district's territory. As a result, response times have decreased and public safety has increased. This step is a precursor to eventual full consolidation.

Second, as a result of my efforts, the county board successfully worked with the sheriff's department and negotiated the right to use court security officers (retired police) in addition to sworn deputies in the courthouse. I personally traveled to the other collar counties, including Kendall County, to observe the use of their court security personal and determined such a program would be viable in DuPage County. If we incorporate just 10 court security officers into the 67-member courthouse security force, the county will save $500,000 annually. After the job description, testing and hiring are complete, I expect this program to be implemented next year.

Third, I initiated discussions between the county, District 200, the city of Wheaton and the village of Winfield to conduct another active-shooter drill in spring of 2019 at Wheaton Warrenville South High School. I say "another" drill because the county has previously performed this drill but did not have another plan to do so until I took action. This drill will increase our institutional knowledge and reaction to such an event. In addition, as we learn how to more effectively stage this drills we intend to make them more a regular event in different areas in the county.

3. Is there a specific service or amenity that is lacking in the county? If so, how do you propose to provide and fund it?

By and large I think DuPage County does an excellent job in all areas regarding the county. I think we listen to our constituents to address their concerns as they arise throughout the county. I want to continue our strong efforts in all areas but especially in the areas of public safety, maintenance of our transportation system and stormwater management. We have addressed all of these areas for years in an incremental fashion so that continued improvements are the normal part of the budget.

One other area is to balance our reliance on sales tax revenue and property tax revenue so that they our reliance is more equal instead of the current reliance we have on higher sales tax revenue.

4. 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?

To answer the question it needs to be understood that from a starting point DuPage County is in a strong position compared to other areas in the state of Illinois. Traditionally, DuPage County has the lowest unemployment rate in the state and the highest occupancy rate for offices and warehouses. A main driver in DuPage is the organization "Choose DuPage."

I would continue to support Choose DuPage. The purpose of Choose DuPage is to attract, retain and expand business in DuPage County. The organization gives business people a seat at the table directly with the DuPage County government so that we can listen to their concerns and respond to their needs. In this way the business people of Choose DuPage become ambassadors for DuPage County as they travel the state, the country and the world.

I would also continue to work to make western access at O'Hare field a reality. Twenty-five (25 percent) of O'Hare is in DuPage County. This project is over 10 years in the making. When I visited the surrounding municipalities 10 years ago to build support for the project it became clear that western access will be an economic engine for DuPage County and the state of Illinois. In order to be a world class city and destination point O'Hare needs to be a premier airport. Building western access will increase O'Hare's world class reputation and allow significant building in DuPage County.

5. The county has been focused on consolidation of services and government agencies. How effective has that effort been and how could it be improved?

Our efforts have been effective in that we have raised the profile on the issue, spurred consolidation in certain areas and spurred shared services and training in other areas. The examples I listed above (Consolidation of Youth Homes and PSAPS) are just some examples. The consolidation of the PSAPs took over 30 years to accomplish.

Our efforts could be improved if the DuPage Mayors & Managers Conference becomes more actively involved in consolidation efforts. The county does not have 100 percent control over all of the areas that need consolidation. In areas such as fire protection and perhaps police protection, the county plays a significant role with the municipalities. Therefore, we must work together in these areas and the county must continue to encourage the municipalities to a fuller participation level.

6. What is the single most important issue facing your district and how should the county address it?

Public Safety. As chairman of the Judicial Public Safety Committee, I am fortunate to work with all facets of public safety from the state's attorney's office, coroner, the chief judge, sheriff, public defender and the Office of Emergency Management. My goal has been to make sure all of these departments are fully funded so that they can perform their services at an optimum level. As I stated above, I have also worked with these groups to perform drills to maximize the county's preparedness for emergencies throughout the county. In delivering public safety I always strive to deliver its essential county services at the lowest possible tax rate.

In addition, as co-chairman of the HOPE (Heroin-Opioid Prevention and Education) Taskforce I want to continue to combat the heroin epidemic in the county by:

• educating the population about the situation;

• supporting the Narcan program which revives individuals that have overdosed on heroin;

• expanding RX box system which over the last nine years collected 50 tons of unused and overprescribed drugs thereby taking them away from possible addicts;

• continuing the lawsuit against the pharmaceutical companies that I believe created the epidemic;

• finding innovative ways to treat and pay for the treatment of individuals that have become addicts.

7. Please name one current leader who most inspires you.

Paul Ryan. Although I wish he was a little more active in our current affairs I always admired the fact that he worked on plans (especially for the budget) and not just rhetoric in order to address the challenges that we face in our nation.

8. What is the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?

Do on to others as you would have them do on to you. My parents told me "do not criticize something unless you are going to do something about it." So, I have tried to work hard in the areas that I believe are not properly functioning. The worst lesson was "Don't rock the boat" because if you don't usually not much will get done.

9. If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?

I would have worked at a Chicago law firm before establishing my own firm in Wheaton.

10. What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?

History. I am working to make sure my area of the world does not repeat the mistakes of the past.

11. If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?

I do not have any children, but the advice I would tell all children that there are no short cuts and you need to work hard in all you do with diligence and persistence and if you enjoy what you are doing the project will not be a job or work.