Q&A with Cassioppi

1. Why are you running for this office, whether for re-election or election the first time? Is there a particular issue that motivates you and, if so, what is that? What will be your main priority in office?

I am seeking the DuPage County Board vacancy created by Bob Schroeder's upcoming retirement. I have respected Mr. Schroeder's dedication to quality public service and intend to similarly serve on behalf of this community. My many years of nonpartisan public service, including election to Naperville's 203 School Board, have consistently demonstrated my primary motivations - serving the community productively, providing a voice of reason, acting as a citizen bridge to government and working to get things done for our residents. I have never been a single issue candidate and am not a professional politician. Our local government works best when its elected representatives are active citizens and connected to the community through family and work. My main priority is to bring financial oversight, common sense and a balanced social and economic perspective to the financial and service issues challenging our County. As a County Board member, I will work hard and address all future challenges so that the necessary and core County services -public safety, transportation, economic development and education - that our citizens have come to expect, and that make DuPage County vibrant and a great place to live and work, are managed in a fiscally responsible way.

2. If you are an incumbent, describe your main contributions. Tell us what important initiatives you've led. If you are not an incumbent, tell us what contributions you would make.

My key contribution will be to develop and implement strong financial and strategic plans for our County and its budget of approximately $500 million, based on my professional qualifications, expertise and experience. With my professional background as a CPA and business person, I will apply sound business principles to our County government and provide a unique financial perspective that is not present on the current Board. The taxpayers deserve a County government that better tracks and understands its financial and operational well-being and expectations. Doomsday situations must not be the norm. In the past there have been far too many surprises at the County government level. These can be avoided with the proper planning processes in place. I will also make contributions in building intergovernmental relationships, private-public partnerships and outsourcing to benefit the County. I believe my enthusiasm, open-mindedness and temperament will be beneficial to the productivity of the Board and the County-wide elected officials, individuals whom I have already personally met and spoken with. Further, I have always believed in and have demonstrated open, accountable and transparent government and as a Board member I will have ongoing two-way communication with those I have been elected to serve.

3. What are your thoughts on how to best make use of revenue from the county sales tax increase approved by the state legislature? What should be done with any surplus from the sales tax increase?

With the new sales tax revenue and proper planning, no additional taxes should be considered in DuPage County for years to come. This revenue should first be used to replace the necessary eliminated funds from the County's key services of public safety and law enforcement in a fiscally responsible manner. Then, critical to our County's growth and economic development, prudent resources must be allocated to transportation needs. I will also see that our area receives its fair share of available capital funds for these purposes from any enacted state plan. A prudent "rainy day" fund would be the next appropriate revenue allocation to secure against any more "financial surprises." I will continue to seek cost savings and efficiencies, including transitioning of County employees (including Board members) from defined benefit/pension plans to more cost effective defined contribution/401(k) plans, as in most of the private sector. Any further surplus must be immediately used to lessen the burden on property taxpayers through a prudent budget and abatement process, and not eliminate sound planning opportunities by unfavorably impacting all future levy amounts. As a County Board member, I will see that the Board has the necessary and timely information to make proper budgetary decisions.

4. Should candidates for county board and other elected offices accept campaign contributions from companies that do business with the county? If so, why? If not, why not and how should this be addressed? If you have accepted campaign contributions from county vendors, please list them by name and amount.

The County has very strict controls for procurement that are stringently enforced and go far to assure that no undue influence takes place. Presently, there are no campaign contribution limits for vendors to County candidates and elected officials, which may still create an appearance of, or actual, impropriety. To address this concern, I am in favor of campaign reform and as a start, would limit all annual contributions to a maximum of between $250-$500, as in other states; and would consider other appropriate limitations to protect the integrity of the process. I am proud of my grassroots fundraising for this election and my other elections. I have filed and made publicly available all contribution information with the Illinois State Board of Elections as required. In this campaign, I have received over 100 contributions from friends and family that were each $150 or less, as well as a single contribution of $150 in this range from Wight & Company, which has previously done business with the County. Also disclosed, are the few contributions exceeding $150, again all from friends, family and local organizations, with whom I have longstanding relationships and none from County vendors.

5. With the high price of gasoline, what should the county board be doing to improve energy efficiency in government operations? What, if anything, should the county board be doing to encourage mass transit options in the county?

The County must continue to explore energy efficient methods in consideration of the many vehicles it operates, as well as, the buildings it manages. I would encourage the County to institute county-wide green energy policies that will lessen our dependence on oil. As evidenced by the County Board's environmental Committee actions, steps have been taken to improve the County's efficiencies over the past several years, including consideration of alternate fuels for certain County vehicles. I would support continued expansion in this regard, and a closer monitoring of the County's vehicle use policy. Second, a portion of the added sales tax revenue must be used to provide for increased, practical and affordable public transit and infrastructure needed to help alleviate traffic congestion. RTA reforms must continue to be made to broaden their use to also improve our air quality and lessen the effect rising gas costs have on our pocketbooks. Investing the County's share of the RTA tax is appropriate to bring goods to the market place and workers to the work place. As a County Board member, I would support programs to improve feeder routes to Metra stations, and expand and improve parking facilities.

6. What are your thoughts on the Canadian National Railway's proposal to purchase the Elgin, Joliet and Eastern Railway Co. in order to reroute some freight train traffic from lines in Chicago and inner suburbs?

I oppose the proposed Canadian National Railway purchase of the EJ & E Railroad. I base this position on attendance at meetings with CNR officers and elected officials, town hall meetings, and listening to hundreds of affected District 5 residents and how the proposal would negatively impact and be a cost to our communities and taxpayers. The arguments in favor come down to creating certain economic efficiencies. However, at this time the concerns of the citizens outweigh these advantages - including traffic congestion, the need for the STAR Line, increased traffic noise, increased hazardous material, and the cost to offset impacts. These concerns must be adequately addressed and cannot wait until the transaction is approved to negotiate. The best time to act is now in order to secure needed funding from the CNR to alleviate many of the legitimate and real concerns. While there is a likelihood that the proposal may be approved in some form, now is the time to use available leverage that exists to offset as much as possible of the impact, financially and otherwise. I have already written to our elected officials, as well as the Surface Transportation Board, highlighting my concerns.