Mary Rada Walters: 2026 candidate for DuPage County Board District 2 (2-year term)

Bio

Party: Democratic

Office sought: DuPage County Board District 2 (2-year term)

City: Lombard

Age: 40

Occupation: Attorney

Previous offices held: N/A

Q&A

Why are you running for this office? Is there a particular issue that motivates you?

I’m running for the county board because I believe local government should be both responsible with our money and genuinely committed to taking care of people. I feel that too often people experience government as distant or indifferent, especially when they’re struggling. When that happens, the policies stop reflecting the real cost of living for families.

I want DuPage County to be a place where everyone can afford to not only work here, but to live here as well. What motivates me most is affordability and stability. In my work as a bankruptcy and Social Security disability attorney, I’ve seen how quickly people fall into crisis when housing, health care, or basic necessities become unaffordable.

County programs, when done right, can be the difference between a temporary setback and a life-altering crisis. The county board plays a critical role in funding mental health services, housing stability, public health, and public safety.

I’m running to make sure those decisions are made responsibly, transparently, and with a clear focus on real people’s lives. DuPage can be fiscally sound while still being a county that truly takes care of its residents, and I want to help lead us there

If you are an incumbent, describe a few important initiatives you’ve led. If you’re not an incumbent, describe a few ways you would contribute to the board.

I would bring hands-on experience with programs the board funds and oversees. I’ve seen firsthand how county-funded services like mental health care, housing support, and public assistance programs actually operate in people’s lives. I understand where these programs are working and where gaps remain.

I also bring practical financial experience. I work in the Chapter 13 Trustee’s office, which handles all of the money that flows through the bankruptcy system. That background gives me a clear understanding of how financial decisions impact real people and translates well to evaluating county budgets and expenses.

As an attorney, I am trained to listen, analyze complex information, and work collaboratively to reach solutions. County board service requires building consensus, navigating disagreements, and advocating for constituents. I would bring professionalism, preparation, and clear communication to that work.

Most importantly, I bring a real-world understanding of the financial pressures facing families in DuPage today. That perspective would guide my decisions and help ensure the board’s work reflects both fiscal responsibility and genuine support for the people it serves.

Is there a specific service or amenity that is lacking in the county? If so, how do you propose to provide and fund it?

One area where DuPage County can do better is transit, especially when it comes to last-mile connections.

Many residents can get close to where they need to go using Metra or Pace, but the gap between a station and home, work, or medical appointments is often the biggest barrier. With the transition from the RTA to the new Northern Illinois Transit Authority, DuPage has a real opportunity to shape transit around how people actually move in our county, not just how systems have historically been designed.

That means better coordination between Metra, Pace, paratransit, and local ride programs, and more flexible, community-based solutions that address first- and last-mile needs.

Funding should focus on leveraging NITA resources, expanding partnerships with Pace and municipalities, and building on existing county programs that already serve seniors and people with disabilities. Improving transit access is not just about mobility. It supports independence, workforce participation, and aging in place, and it is a smart investment in the county’s long-term economic health.

With the county's budget being squeezed by federal funding cuts and other factors, what initiatives would you support to increase revenue and/or save money?

DuPage is in a strong financial position thanks to years of careful planning, an AAA bond rating, and long-term strategies like the county’s Sustainability Initiative. That forward thinking is how the county should prepare for potential federal funding cuts.

I would focus first on protecting programs that prevent larger, more expensive crises, including public health, mental health and substance-use services, housing stability, food security, and public safety. These programs save money over time by reducing emergencies, hospitalizations, and justice involvement.

If budget reductions were needed, I would prioritize delaying non-urgent capital projects that do not affect immediate safety. Responsible budgeting means planning ahead, using data to guide decisions, and avoiding short-sighted cuts that shift costs elsewhere. My goal is to maintain DuPage’s fiscal strength while meeting residents’ essential needs.

What is the single most important issue facing your district, and how should the county address it?

The most important issue is affordability. Every day, I see families paying far more than they can reasonably afford for housing, forcing impossible choices and threatening long-term community stability.

Affordability is a core focus of my campaign, and the county has a key role to play. DuPage has made progress with its land trust, land bank, and programs that help residents stay housed.

We should build on these efforts by supporting proven solutions that encourage attainable housing, such as offering incentives to developers, using county land strategically, and increasing Area Median Income thresholds so more residents qualify for programs like down payment assistance, energy help, and repair grants.

We also must make sure residents know about these programs. Too many people who qualify for help never apply simply because they are unaware of the resources available. Housing stability keeps families in DuPage and supports a strong local workforce. Addressing affordability is essential to a healthy, thriving county.

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

I am the best candidate because my professional experience prepares me for the real work of the board, managing public dollars responsibly and making decisions that directly affect people’s lives.

In my career, I’ve worked through disagreements by listening, finding common ground, and building practical solutions. That is exactly what county board service requires, being prepared, making the case, and working collaboratively without compromising values.

As an attorney, I am both a strong advocate and a careful listener. My responsibility is to represent my clients’ best interests with professionalism and clarity. On the board, my clients are the people of District 2, and I bring that same commitment to serving them.

Through my work in bankruptcy, I manage real budgets with real consequences every day. I see firsthand the financial pressures facing DuPage families and the services they rely on. That perspective is critical when making budget and policy decisions.

I believe in a county government that invests in mental health, housing stability, public safety, and affordability, while remaining compassionate and fiscally responsible. That balance is the leadership DuPage needs.