Laurie Nowak: Candidate Profile

Back to DuPage County Board District 6

Note: Answers provided have not been edited for grammar, misspellings or typos. In some instances, candidate claims that could not be immediately verified have been omitted. Jump to:BioQA Bio City: BartlettWebsite: www.laurienowak.comTwitter: @LaurieDuPage6Facebook: www.facebook.com/LaurieForDupageOffice sought: DuPage County Board District 6 Age: 29Family: Candidate did not respond.Occupation: Community Outreach CoordinatorEducation: Knox College - Bachelor of Arts: Environmental Studies, Spanish, JournalismCivic involvement: Previous Board Member, Neighborhood Food Pantries (FKA Feeding Northwest DuPage) AmeriCorps Alumna (Notre Dame Volunteers)DuPage Sierra Club Cool Cities Council Lead Organizer of Bartlett Cool CitiesLifetime Member of the Girl Scouts of the USA Member of the Legion of Young Polish WomenAdvocate for Shining Light Not-for-Profit, serving families in crisis and LTM Heroin Awareness foundation Elected offices held: DuPage County Board Member 2012-2014Questions Answers What is your stance on county board members' pay? Is it too high, too low, or just right? Would you propose any changes?Elected officials who put in part-time hours should not earn full-time compensation, nor do they deserve a pension. Not knowing how our elected officials are spending their time and whether they are genuinely committed to the job is a problem we can address locally. I propose: *Hourly pay (minimum wage) instead of salaried pay, capped at 30 hours a week. *Logging hours worked by elected officials, easily accessible for the public. *Since the Board decides the salary for next term's Board Members, there should be some form of citizen screening of the proposed salary, such as a ballot referendum. Do you think county board members should receive pensions? Why or why not? If not, would you be willing to pledge not to take one?We are there to serve, not take. I refused the taxpayer-funded pension and will continue to do so. More money and benefits for politicians is out of touch with the reality of the people we represent, and I have yet to meet a constituent who disagrees. I propose eliminating the unsustainable pension for politicians taken on the backs of the people they should be serving (#8220;earned#8221; after a mere 8 years of part-time work). In 2014 as part of a larger taxpayer accountability issue, I was the only representative in District 6 to vote against salary increases for part-time politicians. With DuPage County's budget being squeezed by state funding cuts and other factors, what initiatives would you support to increase revenue and/or save money?I support stronger consolidation that will actually result in savings, rather than #8220;feel good, sound good#8221; consolidation. I support consolidating some but not all Township services, consolidating the unnecessarily duplicative Mosquito Abatement Districts that end up taxing some municipal residents twice, privitizing the DuPage County Airport that does not serve the average taxpayer yet we pay into it, and absorbing the Forest Preserve Police duties into the Sheriffs Department. I am absolutely opposed to my opponent's proposed punitive Stormwater Fee (#8220;Rain Tax#8221;) on top of already high property taxes. What are your thoughts about the county's Accountability, Consolidation and Transparency Initiative? What role should DuPage play in efforts to streamline and consolidate local government?This initiative is only as good as politicians' will to enact it to its full potential. Elected officials like touting consolidation efforts but seem to lack the political will to actually reduce duplication that would result in real savings. However, cutting valuable services like the Convalescent Center and Youth Home in the name of consolidation is detrimental to vulnerable members of the community. The accountability and transparency aspect has even further to go. Politicians need to be more forthcoming about disclosure of political contributions and unpaid political involvement regarding County contracts and political appointments. What initiatives, if any, do you have in mind for your specific county board district?There are opportunities to explore mixed use of County Fairgrounds that preserve the historic and current function while expanding and modernizing this public land, such as partnering with mid-level sport teams who could help fund building renovations and bring in revenue to the County. Rather than a punitive stormwater fee, I believe there are ways to encourage and incentivize local solutions to flooding and stormwater that each homeowner can contribute. What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?Increasing communication and eliminating the disconnect between residents and local elected officials is critical. Democracy can be strengthened locally through increased communication in the form of blogs written by Board Members and more detailed newsletters clearly explaining upcoming issues and votes to residents, paired with more decision-making power in the hands of taxpayers via referendums/ballot initiatives. County Board Committee meetings should be recorded and made available to the public. We must preserve services for seniors, disabled, and homeless residents of DuPage, and find holistic and caring solutions to fight the heroin epidemic and help those affected by its grip.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.There are many leaders who inspire me, but I'm motivated most by hardworking families trying to make their community and country a better place. What is the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?My family were hardworking immigrants from Europe. The values they passed down are ones of humility, perseverance, self-determination, and faith. If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?Every day is a chance to actively create a better tomorrow. I'm also dedicated to ensuring that the next generation is engaged in this process. What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?Journalism courses strengthened my ability to ask tough questions (and courage to do so), and also taught me the importance of listening. If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Treat others respectfully and empathetically the way you would want to be treated, and be confident in the light your gifts bring to this world.