Q&A with Larsen
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?
We have all been incredibly blessed to be born in this Country. I am a firm believer that we each have an obligation to earn our citizenship in this great Country. My service in the Marine Corps will be coming to an end soon, and I feel I can continue to serve and earn my citizenship by being a community leader on the DuPage County Board. My biggest concerns are maintaining low taxes and safe streets such that DuPage County remains the great place to live it has always been.
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.
As a new face on the Board I hope to bring a fresh perspective, a new voice, and new ideas. I want to help bring the Board back together after some rocky disagreements over the last couple of years. I am outspoken, and will use my speaking abilities to advocate for my values, and for the rights and interests of the citizens of DuPage County generally, and District 6 in particular. I will work with the mayors and managers in my District to help build a better relationship between the County and these municipalities.
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?
I initially opposed the sales tax increase. Now that we have it, we must use it responsibly. I want it used to fund some of the law and order programs that were significantly cut over the last year or two, including special victim crime units in the Sheriff's Department and State's Attorney's office. I want to make sure we have adequate reserve funding to avoid financial crises in the future, and I want to invest in technology that will save costs, and hopefully allow us to eliminate this tax in the future.
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.
It is the right of everyone, person or corporation, to have their voice heard in the political process. Companies and individuals have the right to support those candidates with whom they share common values. However, as everyone knows, "pay to play" politics has been a cancer in Illinois. If a candidate does except contributions from companies that do business with the County they should disclose it, and make sure that it does not influence their decisions, recusing themselves from certain decisions where needed. If I have received any such contributions they would be listed on my D2. Most of my contributions have come from friends and family.
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?
These two issues go hand in hand. DuPage County has a growing traffic congestion problem. Unfortunately, the manner in which the County has developed does not lend itself well to mass transit. Still, expanding existing parking areas around Metra train stations would be one way to help. Right now people are discouraged from riding the trains because it is just too hard to get a parking space.
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?
Canadian National's proposal to purchase the EJ&E Railroad is a bad deal for DuPage. While I hate to discourage development and use of rail, the company's plan seems to be based on nothing more than pure profit motive, with little concern paid to the safety and traffic congestion issues it will cause in the affected communities, especially District 6. They have offered little in the way of funding for new underpasses.