Christine “Christy” E. Maes: 2024 candidate for DuPage County Board District 4

Bio

Party: Democrat

Office Sought: DuPage County Board District 4

City: Glendale Heights

Age: 43

Occupation: Marketing Specialist

Previous offices held: Secretary, Glenside Library Board; Second Vice Chair, DuPage County Democrats,

Why are you running for this office? Is there a particular issue that motivates you? If so, what?

Public safety. I want to keep DuPage County a safe place for my family to live and grow.

Accessibility and inclusivity. Government is not for a select few. Government is for everyone and everyone deserves their chance to let their voice be heard. As a Democratic Election Judge, I ensured that everyone who showed up on Election Day was able to exercise their right to vote and that their ballot was successfully recorded.

What experiences and background would you bring to the office and how do these affect the way you would serve on the county board?

I have a Master’s of Public Administration from DePaul University Chicago. If elected, I would bring a unique perspective to the DuPage County Board as the only member with an MPA, focusing on driving efficiencies within county government. My undergraduate degree is in International Studies and Political Science from American University, Washington, D.C. While at American, I had the distinct honor of living and working collaboratively in a diverse, multicultural community, much like Glendale Heights.

What do you consider the three most-serious issues facing the county and how would you address them?

The three most important issues facing DuPage County and these do not represent a prioritized list. They share a theme. The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds that were associated with COVID-19 are drying up. Competing priorities like Health, Public Safety, and Economic Development will all be on the table as budgets get tighter. We need leaders who are positioned to balance those completing priorities. Leaders who did not get elected in a time of surplus. All the important issues will be more pronounced as budgets contract. My background, which includes a Master’s of Public Administration, will be key because I could see the situation from both perspectives. I could view the situation from the elected official and agency levels. I can also view the situation from the perspective as a working mother who fights to balance her own family budget with a young child.

How do you rate the health of the county's financial system? Do you support any changes in the county's fiscal policies?

I think the wealth gap is a huge problem. The rich are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer. I think large companies are systematically choking out the small businesses, which are the lifeblood of this nation and livihood of a significant percentage of Americans.

Why are you the best person to serve in this role?

I am best suited to serve because my background, energy, and extensive work at the local level rises to meet the moments ahead. I am better positioned to work with my colleagues on the Republican side of the aisle. My background of working on Capitol Hill gives me the firsthand experience of successfully working across the aisle in the early 2000’s. My passion for Government was shaped on Capitol Hill during the post 9/11 period. My background is rooted in a part of the district that hasn’t sent an elected official to this seat in some time.

I am running for Dupage County Board District 4 because working families need a voice in the district. Economic Development needs to be redefined and reimagined to address the pressing needs of workforce development, workforce housing, and public safety. I want to forge partnerships between our public libraries and Choose Dupage/Innovate Dupage to allow a space to train young people to meet the jobs of the future.