Q&A with Olson

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 running for county board because I believe strong, independent leadership is more important than ever. I refuse to be a rubber-stamp politician. As an independent voice, I have often been one of only a couple of members to stand up to (and vote against) bad budgets, wasteful spending, and (I believe) ill-advised policy. Responsibly appropriating new revenues, maintaining a solid financial footing, budgeting and managing with a strategic plan in mind are my priorities. My strong involvement and engagement in the communities I represent, and maintaining good collaborative relationships with local leaders, will continue. Assisting constituents with their concerns has been very important to me; each success is a joy. I will continue to endeavor to bring common-sense policy and fiscal responsibility to county government, no matter the resistance, if re-elected.

2. For incumbents and non-incumbents: If you are an incumbent, describe your main contributions. Tell us of important initiatives you've led. If you are not an incumbent, tell us what contributions you would make.

Throughout my tenure I have consistently fought for limited government, fiscal accountability, long-term budgeting, cost-cutting, and performance measures. I have voted against pay raises and stipends for elected officials each year and have refused to take them. Assisting constituents with their concerns has also been a priority for me. I have worked closely with township, municipal, and state officials to accomplish mutually beneficial projects/goals in a cost-efficient manner. I have led or co-led initiatives in: Cost-cutting/Efficiency (efficiencies/reducing costs through public/private partnerships, county vehicle maintenance/usage policy changes, reorganization and space/energy audits, reducing benefits/perks); Finance/budget policy (requiring fiscal impact statements for new/expanded budget items, long-term budgeting); Public Works policies/projects in flood relief and clean water; Judicial Policy - Drug and Mental Health Courts; Transportation and Environmental policies (Alternative Fuels Vehicles, Trails Maintenance Task Force); and Development Policy (revised building codes, Green Development). I have also fought attempts to obtain Home Rule through County Board Rules changes, and am now leading efforts to move forward on the DuPage County Strategic Plan.

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?

My primary goal is that DuPage get back on strong financial footing with strategic long-range planning/budgeting. That means setting aside a portion of the sales tax revenue for the future and controlling spending today. The DuPage County Strategic Plan outlines 15 priority issues as determined through general public, private business, and governmental input. The sales tax legislation requires those funds go to transportation and public safety. Accordingly, I believe we must implement a budget that includes significant transportation projects and public safety funds. This budget should also include a short- and long-range plan for addressing facility needs, technology improvements, workforce housing and economic development issues, environmental concerns, and human service delivery. In gaining this sales tax revenue, I believe we should apply a greater amount of the property taxes we receive toward Stormwater infrastructure maintenance and improvements.

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.

I voted to make the DuPage County ethics ordinance more restrictive than state law requires, with greater limits on contributions and gifts. I have no problem making that ethics ordinance even more restrictive to further limit or completely disallow contributions from county vendors. The vast majority of my contributions are from friends, family, and local supporters not involved in county business. Over 90% of my donations have come from more than 250 individual donors (not county vendors), since elected. The county bids and lets out contracts with several hundreds of vendors. I have received donations from 25 of those over 6 years, constituting less than 10% of my donors, and less than 10% of my donations in my 6 years on the board. Of those, only 5 have given me annual donations. My contribution reports are all available for inspection online.

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 expanded mass transit options in the county?

Since I have been in office I have served on and/or led committees that have passed numerous initiatives to promote energy efficiency, environmental responsibility, and reduce costs. It is an ongoing effort. We now purchase hybrid vehicles to replace those cycling out of use in county transportation and public works departments. Where practical, County vehicle usage is pooled. We performed an energy audit to determine lighting, heating/cooling and gas savings. We have a facilities plan to replace lighting fixtures with more energy efficient models and reduce other energy expenditures. We negotiate energy rates to get the best possible price. Some departments allow flex-work schedules and remote work environments to increase productivity and reduce commute costs. We support PACE and Ride DuPage.

I believe there is a need for greater public transit, and support implementation of the Star line, rapid bus transit on IL355, and expanded connector routes. To promote and build a viable mass transit system in a county where we have 39 individual municipalities to connect and most people value their independence with their cars, I believe County Board Public Transit Chairman JR McBride has the right idea: provide public transportation options within communities to teach our youth to utilize mass transit for activities and work, then expand from there.

6. What are you 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 strongly oppose the sale of the EJ&E to Canadian National Railway. This proposal would have a tremendous negative impact upon local and regional traffic movement and local economic viability in several municipalities within DuPage County. It will cost the County and municipalities millions in mitigation - such as bridges and underpasses - in the places where it's even possible to build them. Some downtown areas, such as West Chicago, stand to be decimated. While I understand the relative benefit to other areas in the region, the negative effects far outweigh those benefits in DuPage.