Lynn LaPlante: 2024 candidate for DuPage County Board District 4
Bio
Party: Democrat
Office Sought: DuPage County Board District 4
City: Glen Ellyn
Age: 52
Occupation: Violinist, Writer, Board Member
Previous offices held: Two terms on the DuPage County Board, four terms as an elected Precinct Committeeperson
Why are you running for this office? Is there a particular issue that motivates you? If so, what?
I’m running for re-election to finish the great work and new initiatives I started when first elected to the board. I’m extremely motivated to bring new ideas to DuPage County, especially when it comes to the arts. I’m working locally, at the state level and with national leaders on this topic. The possibilities are endless! We’re in the middle of conducting a feasibility study on sports and cultural facilities in DuPage County, looking for ways to drive the economy and bring more tourism revenue to DuPage. I’m very excited to see that through.
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 bring my previous two terms worth of experience to the board, as well as my passion for economic development, the arts, community development, and public health. My experience in these arenas provides an endless source of ideas and initiatives that I will continue to bring to the table. I will continue to govern at the local level how I wish my representatives would govern at the federal level: reaching across the aisle and bringing civility and professionalism to the role of public servant.
What do you consider the three most-serious issues facing the county and how would you address them?
The three areas we are facing in DuPage that I feel are the most serious are: food insecurity, affordable and accessible housing, and finding new sources of revenue to drive economic development and tourism. I am proud to Chair the Community Development Committee, where we passed the first vote to fund $5 million towards DuPage County’s first permanent homeless shelter in conjunction with DuPage PADS. We also have a committee of the whole focused on finding solutions for affordable and accessible housing, so people who work in DuPage can afford to live in DuPage. I’m very excited to continue this work with my colleagues, we are deeply committed to this concept. And finally, as Chair of Economic Development, I am constantly working on creative solutions to drive the economy. I am passionate about the intersection of the arts and the economy, and am committed to seeing our feasibility study’s results and the potential for new growth and new development in DuPage County.
How do you rate the health of the county's financial system? Do you support any changes in the county's fiscal policies?
Our county finances are extremely robust. We have weathered the storm of the pandemic and come out fiscally sound. We are investing in community services to address the needs of the least among us to great results. Investing in the health of our community is good both for individuals and our bottom line. I’m committed to exploring new avenues of untapped sources of revenue to drive economic development. We need to think creatively to do this — something that I thoroughly enjoy!
Why are you the best person to serve in this role?
My proven track record of fighting with integrity for the people of DuPage County makes me the best person to serve in this role. I will continue to keep the promises I made when first elected: to always be honest; to always do the right thing even when not politically expedient; and to do my very best to make things less partisan and contentious at the local level. I love this job and want to continue being of service to my community. I humbly ask for your vote to re-elect me to the DuPage County Board.