Cronin works for the common good

During this contentious election season, it is important to remember that there are leaders doing the work they were elected to do. DuPage County Board Chairman Dan Cronin is one of them. His work focuses on consensus building, cohesiveness, and common good.

His ability to work with Mayor Emmanuel and the City Department of Aviation to improve western access to O'Hare, an ability recently praised by the Daily Herald Editorial Board, will ultimately leverage the economic engine of O'Hare to the benefit of the entire region. Improved economic activity on the western side of O'Hare will benefit DuPage County constituents, who have been marginalized by previous mayors and administrations.

He leads efforts to improve the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of local government. His work in Springfield and with the DuPage Water Commission's new leadership helped eliminate the agency's misspent reserves and debt problems. It is now self-sustaining, out of debt, and a quarter-cent sales tax that had been supporting it sunsets in June. While others look to raise taxes, Dan works to find ways to do more with less. He fights opposition, often within his own party, to help entrenched local politicians understand that government must change in order to better serve the electorate.

He built a bridge with the DuPage County Sheriff to balance the budget while still providing superior public safety service to the unincorporated residents. He magnified the efforts of West Chicago's "Fathers Reading Every Day" program. He worked with a former DuPage County Board member to facilitate a $2 million private donation benefiting the DuPage Convalescent Center.

Leaders like Dan do the daily work that provides jobs, keeps neighborhoods safe, and ensures care for friends and neighbors who cannot care for themselves. Accomplishing this work is the true value of an elected leader.

Mark Castino

Wheaton