Castro ready to join board

Cristina Castro is the Democrat of choice to compete for the Kane County Board District 20 seat, Tuesday night trouncing the man appointed to the seat nearly two years ago.

Castro received 729 votes, or 65 percent, to incumbent Jesus de la Isla's 162 votes, or 14 percent, with all precincts reporting, according to unofficial results.

It was her broad-based campaign, from mailings to and door knocking, that put her over the edge, she said.

"I thought it was a pretty winning combination and it looks like it resonated with voters, based on what the polls show," said Castro, 29, of Elgin. "It's nice and it was very convincing but for me, it just raises the bar."

De la Isla, 28, of Elgin, has held the seat since late 2006, when he was appointed to fill a vacancy. He did not return phone calls Tuesday night.

Castro has said that if elected, she would push for the inclusion of all financial information about companies bidding on county projects, not just the top three finalists, so board members can evaluate it for potential conflicts.

She also was opposed to the county spending so much on outside consultants -- it reserved $316,000 for fiscal year 2007.

De la Isla, had opposite views on both issues.

Castro will face Republican Larry Wegman and Green Party candidate Julie Schmitt for a 4-year term in the November election.

District 20 covers parts of Elgin's east side, bordered by the Fox River, I-90, the county line two blocks east of Liberty Street and Highland Avenue and Laurel streets.