Pankau announces bid for DuPage County Board chairman

State Sen. Carole Pankau Tuesday officially announced that she's running for DuPage County Board chairman.

The Itasca Republican said she came to the decision after weeks of consulting with family, friends and supporters.

"I decided I am going to run for this because with the experience I have - the eight years on the county board before I ever joined the General Assembly - I've got a really good background and foundation as to what county government does and how it can best help the people," Pankau said.

She will face state Sen. Dan Cronin and Burr Ridge Mayor Gary Grasso in the February 2010 Republican primary. They all are looking to replace Chairman Robert Schillerstrom, who is vacating the seat to run for governor.

No Democrats have announced their intentions to seek the seat. DuPage Democratic Chairman Bob Peickert said he's among several members of his party considering whether to enter the race.

If elected, Pankau said she would try to regain the trust of taxpayers when it comes to county spending.

"If you ask them if government uses their money wisely, they say 'No,'" said Pankau, who has four years as a state senator, 12 years as a state representative and eight years as a county board member.

"So how do you start restoring that trust?" she said. "You start by measuring the programs and making sure that every dollar is being used efficiently and effectively."

Pankau isn't the only chairman candidate focusing on the budget.

Grasso said he would work to trim fat from the budget while maintaining the same level of county services.

When he announced his candidacy two weeks ago, Cronin said his priorities include maintaining public safety, improving education and ensuring that government is transparent and accountable. The Elmhurst Republican also is promising to "usher in a new era of collaboration."

Whether more DuPage Republicans enter the race remains to be seen. County board members Pat O'Shea, Jerry "JR" McBride and Debra Olson said they're considering it. Olson said she might make an announcement at the end of the week.

Meanwhile, a list of politicians already have decided not to run for chairman, including county board members Brien Sheahan, Jim Zay and Paul Fichtner.