News

Candidates for DuPage County board chairman outline top campaign issue

Posted January 03, 2010 10:00 pm

Four high-powered Republicans are seeking their party's nomination for DuPage County Board chairman in the Feb. 2 primary election.

The field features state Sen. Dan Cronin of Elmhurst; Burr Ridge Mayor Gary Grasso; DuPage County Board member Debra Olson of Wheaton; and state Sen. Carole Pankau of Itasca.

The winner will advance to the November election to face Democrat Carole A. Cheney, 48, an attorney from Aurora who has never held elected office and is running unopposed in her party's primary.

All the candidates are hoping to replace Bob Schillerstrom, a Naperville Republican who is stepping down after 12 years in the chairman's post.

The Daily Herald asked the candidates several questions related to the primary. Today we begin a five-part look at what the hopefuls in the contested GOP race for chairman had to say.

For more on their responses, visit www.dailyherald.com later this month.

Q. What is your top campaign issue?Cronin: Improving the economy in DuPage County will be my number one goal as chairman. The economic plans from Washington and Springfield don't work and won't work. We will need to take care of our own economic problems, which are substantial. The long-term impact of home foreclosures, business bankruptcies, abandoned industrial sites and empty retailers will affect all families and businesses in DuPage County for the foreseeable future.As chairman, I will take the lead in promoting DuPage and attracting new employers to our county. Many of the benefits of DuPage County speak for themselves: exceptional schools, safe neighborhoods, a relatively accommodating transportation system, open land and a lower tax burden than Cook County. We are home to not only Fortune 100 corporations, but thousands of small businesses. But we can and should do more in marketing our county to businesses seeking to flee high-tax, high-regulatory states, counties and municipalities."Choose DuPage" is one vehicle we can utilize to appeal to prospective employers. This has been an effective private-public partnership and one I will continue to rely on as we seek new businesses.I also believe we can look at our property tax system to determine whether incentives can be offered to encourage businesses to either locate or expand in DuPage County. Certain classifications can be developed to achieve this goal, as long as the tax incentives do not negatively impact county or local revenues and provide future economic benefits. I will also work closely with our mayors to identify the most blighted areas in our county and seek new ideas to develop these locations. It's important that the county board chairman work in full partnership with the mayors and managers of our municipalities to face this economic crisis head-on. The future condition of both the national and state economy remains unclear. While some economic indicators show the economy may be improving, other data reveals a sustained recession. Some economists believe a second housing bubble is around the corner, as well as a severe commercial implosion. Optimism, unfortunately, is not an option for elected officials at this time. As chairman, I will remain upbeat about the potential economic advantages for DuPage while governing in an environment that reflects the discouraging economic environment at this time.Grasso: The next DuPage County chairman has to be experienced and qualified to run government within its means. County government should not and cannot be all things to everyone; it must operate responsibly so that we can leave a prideful legacy for those that follow us. The public is taxed-out and rightfully suspicious of government working in its interests. We must be willing to say "No" respectfully and firmly to tax-and-spend policies; and necessarily have to tighten our belts and probably reduce services or head count. This also means fighting Springfield for sensible pension reform and workers' compensation laws, and avoiding any discussion of gross receipts taxes and increases in income taxes that drain our citizens and make Illinois less competitive for jobs and businesses. I will work with the county board members, build consensus and, with them, keep DuPage County a special place to live, work and raise a family in what should be very challenging times in the near future.Olson: Taxes and fiscal management.Politicians promising to be all things to all people are what gets government in trouble. My most important "initiative" will be to keep the budget in check and county government under control. I am distinctly different from my opponents because I have a consistent record of fighting tax increases and reducing spending, and have been recognized as an independent voice for the taxpayers. Federal, state and municipal governments are all threatening to raise taxes to balance their budgets. That simply cannot continue to be the answer. Families suffer and businesses are driven out of the state because they can't bear the weight of taxation in Illinois. All levels of government now must look to collaborate with each other and community partners to provide core services for less and reduce the tax burden on our residents. We will also have to be vigilant in controlling costs and streamlining services. The chairman must also have the will to stand against the constant desire of government to expand.As a three-term county board member, I have already taken that stand. I have helped build collaborative relationships to construct roads, drainage projects and provide court-mandated services for lower cost and in less time. I have voted against bloated budgets, salary increases and perks for elected officials; have been a leader in making cuts, eliminating waste, and downsizing operations. We have lowered the county's portion of the property tax rate and tax levy, bringing county government down to only 3 percent of your property tax bill. Today, DuPage County government continues to provide effective, essential services, yet is 10 percent smaller and has reduced the county's burden on property taxpayers by hundreds of millions of dollars since I was elected. I have also consistently stood against flawed policies of previous administrations and fought to put county government on the right track. Building a coalition of fellow county board members, I led the proposal and adoption of historic reforms to DuPage County government, reforms that the state still has failed to implement. These reforms have resulted in greater transparency, an open and honest budget process, long-term budgets and capital planning, and more accountability for the dollars we spend.As county board chairman, I will continue to be a leader committed to smaller, limited government, and long-term fiscal responsibility, restraint and accountability, which I believe is essential for the future of DuPage.Pankau: Getting DuPage jobs.False9631278Gary Grasso False Who's WhoDan CroninAge: 50Town: Elmhurst Occupation: Attorney Web site: electcronin.comEducation: Northwestern University, Loyola Law SchoolCivic involvement: Board of directors for Ray Graham Association for People with Disabilities; Joseph Academy; Family Shelter Services Elected offices: State Representative, 1991-1993; State Senator, 1993-presentGary GrassoAge: 58Town: Burr RidgeOccupation: AttorneyWeb site: grasso4dupage.com Education: Georgetown University; Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies; Fordham University School of LawCivic Involvement: St. John of the Cross parish council and school board; Thomas Ford Memorial Library FoundationElected offices: Mayor of Burr Ridge, 2005-present; Burr Ridge trustee, 2003-05; Downers Grove committeeman Debra OlsonAge: 46Town: WheatonOccupation: Small business ownerWeb site: DebforDuPage.comEducation: Northern Illinois UniversityCivic involvement: 100+ Women Who Care member; DuPage Homeownership Center board of directors, chairman; Wheaton Chamber of Commerce memberElected offices: DuPage County Board member (in third term); Trustee, DuPage Regional Board of Schools, 1999-2002; Milton Township Republican Precinct Committeeman, 1992-presentCarole PankauAge: 62Town: ItascaOccupation: State SenatorWeb site: peopleforpankau.comEducation: University of IllinoisCivic involvement: 10 chambers of commerceElected offices: Keeneyville District 20 school board member for eight years; DuPage County Board member, 1984-1992; State Representative, 1993-2004; currently State Senator from 23rd District.

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