Q&A with Michelassi

1. 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, and if so, what is that? What will your main priority in office?

I believe no office should go uncontested, and no district should be safe. There initially was no Democratic candidate for this office, and I wanted to be a check against single-party domination, and a voice of compromise and consensus. I feel that government should be treated as a profession. It's not an avenue for people who can't make it in the private sector, nor is it a prestige-builder for lawyers and political insiders. I want to bring a sense of practicality to the office. I see our Board proposing cuts in places like public safety while at the same time paying themselves in excess of $50,000 a year, and I know the County deserves better. I want to make this job my full-time occupation; I'll give it all my focus and energy. And I want to do it well, by truly gathering my constituents' opinions on the issues through monthly town hall meetings, and keeping them informed with a self-authored newsletter/weblog.

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 number one priority as a Member of the Board will be to keep our County budget in the black without raising taxes or service fees. I will oppose any new ways to pinch pennies from DuPage taxpayers. If the residents of District 5 are divided by an issue and my colleagues are going to vote in the majority, I will give the minority their voice. I will work with all of my fellow Members to forge the "third path" on as many issues as necessary - if something comes down to a tiebreaker vote, obviously a consensus was not made. I'll push for County government to have the foresight we need as we struggle with energy and food costs. Finally, I will work to make the County contract-bidding process as open and fair as possible.

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?

The first priority of any government should be to provide for the education of its constituents. I am proud to have graduated from one of the best school districts in the nation, Indian Prairie District 204. The Board should partner with the Regional Office of Education to distribute funding in grants among DuPage school districts. Every bit helps when it comes to our schools. However, we should also be mindful of any sudden needs we may have in the future. Any surplus funds should be set aside in a Strategic Reserve fund. This money could be made to grow, so that our County will be able to fund high-dollar projects in the future, such as major improvements to our infrastructure. Investments in the STAR Line, the Blue Line extension, and mitigation of the EJ&E sale are just some of the ways these savings could pay off.

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 answer to this question is a very simple "no." Companies that do business with the County have a vested interest in maintaining that business. Board Members should have a vested interest in keeping County expenses low and efficient, to provide the best bottom line to their bosses, the residents. Taking any money from those companies, whether you're on the level or not, creates a feeling of impropriety. If we want to cure the malaise Americans feel about their government, we have to set a good example and eliminate those kinds of appearances and feelings. Candidates can do without this money. I have accepted no contributions from companies doing business with the County, and I never will.

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?

All County vehicles, excluding Sheriff's Department vehicles, should be replaced by hybrids or electrics as they wear out, according to their applications. We'd drastically lessen that portion of the County's consumption of gasoline. As for expanding our public transportation, I am absolutely in favor of the Metra STAR commuter rail line and the proposed Blue Line extension into the County. The Board and the Regional Transit Authority should partner with Pace to develop an effective Countywide public transportation plan. Our main goal should be to gear public transportation to the bracket of our population most likely to take advantage of it: students and commuters. Our bus system should work to get commuters from their homes to the train stations and airports, and get students to the College of DuPage.

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?

The truth is this sale was done the moment it was announced. I've felt these past months would have been best put to use building a funding coalition to make improvements to our infrastructure that we've badly needed for the past twenty years - especially if we want the STAR line to ever become a reality. Traffic along the EJ&E line could have changed at any time over the past 100 years. Now major change is a reality we must face. We have to roll with it. Mitigating the EJ&E sale is largely a public works project. Canadian National should pay a higher percentage than they've offered, but making them into our enemy will not bring them closer to paying more. We need to treat CN as a partner in improving our community. There is no reason why we shouldn't have all 15 essential grade separations built within the next 5 years.