Dawn DeSart: 2026 candidate for DuPage County Board District 5 (2-year term)

Bio

Office sought: DuPage County Board District 5

Party: Democrat

City: Aurora

Age: 63

Previous offices held: Indian Prairie District 204 Board of Education

Q&A

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

I have been involved in community service most of my life, from church functions to being a Girl Scout troop leader for seven years. I currently serve on the DuPage Historical Museum Foundation Board and the Xilin Association Board. Previously, I have served on the DuPage Housing Authority Board for five years and the Naper Pride Board for eight years. Serving on the DuPage County Board is an extension of my service to my community.

If you are an incumbent, describe your main contributions. Tell us of any important initiatives you’ve led. If you are a challenger, what would you bring to the board and what would your priority be?

On the DuPage County Board, I am Chair of the Legislative Committee and the Ad-Hoc Collective Bargaining Committee. I serve as Vice Chair of the Animal Services Committee, and serve as a member of many other Board committees. I have played an integral part in helping our community by:

Investing to build the DuPage County Transportation Facility Building a 33,000 sq. ft. Crisis Recovery Center, which won the 2026 national NACo award for achievement

Increasing the size and upgrading DuPage County’s Animal Services Center (where our no-kill rate is nearly 100%)

• Renovating the County’s decades old Care Center Reinforcing the 8,300 acre Elmhurst Quarry through a high-wall stabilization project and a pump station rebuild project

In District 5, I am proud that I was able to work bipartisanly to secure nearly $1M in Stormwater improvement projects for the Naperville Park District

I negotiated thousands for the Naperville Convention and Visitors Bureau to bring in visitors and boost economic development

Completing all of these necessary projects while maintaining a balanced budget every year since I have served on the DuPage County Board.

What initiatives would you support to increase revenue and/or save money?

One initiative that I have proposed is reducing the size of the Board. The DuPage County Board has 18 members, three from each of six districts. I have proposed downsizing the Board to two members in each of the county’s six districts.

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

I believe that overall, DuPage County does a fantastic job meeting the needs of our constituents. Those suffering food insecurity are increasing in the county. We need to take on that responsibility head on. In addition, the county has an Affordable Housing Committee. I would like to see that committee make progress.

Does there need to be more bipartisanship and cooperation on the county board? If yes, what would you do to help make that happen?

95% of the work we do on the Board is bipartisan, and we take those roles very seriously to meet the needs of our residents. Transportation, road quality, Stormwater, human services, etc. If there is any partisan challenge, those issues are minor, and don’t reflect the vast majority of the work we do.

What is your stance on county board members' pay? Is it too high, too low, or just right? Would you propose any changes?

In the past, most Board members had outside employment. Currently, many of the Board members have elected to make their board responsibilities their full-time job, meeting with constituents at all hours of the day and night to serve the community. The minimum annual salary to cover basic necessities as a single adult in DuPage County is approximately $59,198 to $65,774 before taxes.

What is the most important issue facing the county in your district and how should it be addressed?

I actually have two: food insecurity and mental health.

Regarding food insecurity, the county has granted millions of dollars to multiple food banks and pantries throughout the county. As the economy continues to negatively impact family budgets, the food insecurity challenge will only increase. One of DuPage County’s main income streams is sales tax revenue. In the first six months of 2026, DuPage County has enjoyed $30+ million dollars in excess sales tax dollars. Much of those funds can go to the food insecure, and non-profits that help the unemployed and underemployed.

Regarding mental health, the Board just heard the one year presentation of the success stories at the one-of-a-kind Crisis Recovery Center. In just one year, the CRC has helped thousands of community members.