Christine Jennifer Winger: 2022 candidate for DuPage County Board District 6
Bio
Party: Republican
Office sought: DuPage County Board District 6
City: Bartlett
Age: 51
Occupation: Substitute teacher
Previous offices held: State Representative District 45, 2015-19; City of Wood Dale Alderman Ward 3, 2003-14
Q&A
Q: Describe your position regarding the balance between county spending and revenues as it exists today, then describe the chief threats you see looming in the future and how the county should deal with them.
A: The Democratic majority board appears to follow a tax and spend policy. The DuPage County Board increased the gas sales tax last year so that it is now 200% of its previous amount. This additional tax burden is unwarranted. The cost of living is skyrocketing. High costs at the gas pump are crushing families. When elected, I will call for the repeal of this unfair tax.The significant financial threat is the result of the recently passed $40 million Special Projects Plan. This plan depletes fund reserves built up thru taxpayer money and federal government COVID relief payments. It also generates future costs for personnel and maintenance for these projects. The county needs to hold reserves rather than rely on the federal government and local taxpayer again. When elected, I will demand another review of this outrageous spending plan and how it can be reduced to only necessary expenditures, and restore reserves.
Q: Is there a specific service or amenity that is lacking in the county? If so, how do you propose to provide and fund it?
A: We need to start first with improving basic services that already exist. I've heard from numerous constituents that they have tried to contact the county, and have either not received an answer or the call was dropped. DuPage County's customer service has declined over the past two years, and I will make sure this is addressed when I'm elected. Additionally, I will call for an audit of county services and amenities to determine which are necessary and eliminate redundancy with other government and local programs.
Q: Should the county board continue to start its regular board meetings with an invocation? Please say why or why not.
A: Yes. An invocation doesn't advocate one religion over another, and I believe this tradition uses faith to bring people together.
Q: Does there need to be more bipartisanship and cooperation on the county board? If yes, what would you do to help make that happen?
A: I have been extremely disheartened to learn that those county board members party have voiced the desire to remove the statue of the distinguished former U.S. Rep. Henry Hyde. Henry Hyde served our community for decades, was a neighbor to us, and a true statesman. Calling for the removal of his statue is petty and partisan politics at its worst. I have shown throughout my public service that I serve the entire constituency and focus on resolving issues first.
Q: If your political party has control of the county board after the November election, how would that benefit DuPage residents?
A: The Democratic majority board has a spending problem and wants to copy the practices of the wasteful county to the east of us. Following this upcoming election, a return to DuPage's long standing Republican leadership, will result in a restoration of common-sense spending and good budgeting will return.
Most importantly, public safety is a concern to everyone in DuPage County. On Jan. 1, 2023, new laws will begin in Illinois that allow criminals to have greater freedoms. The leadership in Cook County supports these new laws, however these laws will endanger the safety and freedom of the rest of us. The Democratically lead DuPage County Board recklessly tabled discussion on these laws.
Q: The COVID pandemic put a spotlight on the need for mental health services. What role should the county play in this?
A: In years past, mental health was not a focus for many communities, governmental agencies and schools. Times have changed. Society and governmental agencies are respecting the strong need to address mental health. I respect the need to ensure good mental health is available to all people.
That said, DuPage townships either have established mental health boards or working on efforts to establish them. When elected, I will examine current county mental health services and funding, and what support is established through townships and other organizations, to determine how the county can complement existing services.
Q: What is the single most important issue facing your district and how should the county address it?
A: Public safety is a critical issue facing my district. Carjacking and theft is rampant throughout the county. In fact, there was a carjacking in Bartlett recently, 5 minutes from my daughter's summer camp near Pate Philip State Park, a place where families and children gather.
The state of Illinois and Cook County have created the environment, where criminals aren't being prosecuted, and they are getting away with it. When elected, I will fight for all measures, to keep DuPage County safe.