Q&A with O'Shea

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?

As an incumbent, it is important to maintain the quality of life we all enjoy in Du Page county while living within a reasonable tax structure. This means constantly reviewing the budgets and expenditures of each department and elected official throughout the year, not just at budget time. For example, the county Auditor's office is no longer needed. The County spends hundreds of thousands of dollars each year on independent audits which do virtually all of the work of the Auditor's office. We need to create more jobs in the County. Over the last few years, about 60,000 new jobs were created. We need to increase this number this year. Besides tax and budgetary issues however, there are other issues such as drug and mental health court which the County has initiated and is fiscally responsible. These programs are vitally important to our community and require constant review and improvement to better serve the community and keep crime at a low rate. Our transportation system needs to implement more buses along major routes to alleviate vehicular congestion. The jail study which I proposed has indicated a method of utilizing jail space more efficiently to avert the need for a new jail. The importance of these programs cannot be emphasized enough.

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.

As a board member, I worked hard to keep county taxes either the same or lower for Du Page County. As Chairman of the Judicial and Public Safety Committee I reorganized the Animal Care and Control Department drastically reducing the number of animals euthanized and modernized the entire Department. I also initiated the jail study which will create new jobs and reduce the number of beds needed for inmates thereby eliminating the need for a new 40 million dollar jail. As Finance chairman, I helped balance the budget. Whiling serving on the transportation committee, myself and other county board members were responsible for the oversight of complex litigation matters as well as major transportation issues such as traffic light actuation. Actuation allows coordination and smoother traffic flow through the automatic changing of traffic signals based upon traffic usage. As a member of the environmental committee, we have obtained various grants to help pay for recycling programs throughout the county. SCARCE is a program that I am particularly proud of and which educates teachers and students throughout Du Page county through workshops, resource rooms, and programs regarding various recycling and environmental issues. One of the most important programs reinstituted in the two years is drug and mental health court. Each of these programs is absolutely necessary for the rehabilitation of persons with substance abuse and mental health issues and who have committed crimes. Statistics prove that when these persons commit crimes because of drug and mental health problems recidivism is greatly reduced through rehabilitation.

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 legislature instituted the 1/4 cent sales tax and at the same time restricted the use of the revenue to public safety and transportation. Part of the money should be used to increase the sheriff officer's pay. They have not had a raise in a number of years. Also, the States Attorney's Office should get a raise. The Assistants have not had a raise in three years. The balance should be used on road modernizations and projects that increase the flow of traffic throughout the County.

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.

My 2008 semi-annual report shows that I have not taken any contributions from County vendors. I try to refuse to accept contributions from any of them. I do not believe that County Board Members should take contributions from any person or company that does business with the county because it gives the appearance of impropriety.

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?

The County's new vehicle policy will help reduce air pollution and decrease fuel consumption of County vehicles. A key aspect of the new policy encourages the conversion of County vehicles to an alternate fuel fleet consisting of hybrids, E-85, compressed natural gas and propane fueled vehicles. To accomplish this goal, when the County is scheduled to replace a vehicle with a newer model, it must, when feasible, replace it with an alternative fuel model. The County is also looking to switch over from diesel fuel to B-20 bio-diesel. This fuel emits less greenhouse gas and particulate matter. The County is also entering into a contract with the Forest Preserve District of Du Page County to utilize the District's alternate fuels.

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?

The Canadian Nations Railway intends on increasing trail traffic flowing through Du Page County to four times what it is today. This would adversely impact the west side of our county. Numerous train crossings in Du Page county are not equipped to handle the increase in train traffic. In some 20 cases, the County will have to install grade separations (underpasses) and safety features which will cost taxpayers millions of dollars. As an example, the Washington street crossing in West Chicago is very close to a school and football/soccer field. The cost to acquire the necessary right-of-way there is estimated at 2.7 million dollars and will require the condemnation of several homes. This only one of 20 examples . The County will gain nothing by the increase in train traffic on the EJ &E and will instead cost taxpayers millions. The County is currently preparing an impact statement and is attempting to make regulators listen to the County's concerns.