Eric Poplonski: 2026 candidate for DuPage County Board District 1

Bio

Office sought: DuPage County Board District 1

Party: Republican

City: Bloomingdale

Age: 39

Previous offices held: none

Q&A

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

I am running for the DuPage County Board because I want to help ensure that DuPage County remains a safe, affordable, and thriving place to raise a family and build a future. I am a lifelong DuPage County resident, a first-generation American, an attorney, and a father of four. My parents came to this country in search of opportunity, and DuPage County provided our family with an outstanding community in which to live, work, and succeed. Now, as I raise my own children here, I feel a responsibility to give back and help preserve those same opportunities for the next generation.

The issue that motivates me most is ensuring that county government delivers excellent services while respecting taxpayers. Families and businesses are facing higher costs across the board, and government must recognize that every tax dollar comes from someone who worked to earn it. I want to bring my legal experience and community service to the County Board to promote responsible budgeting, support law enforcement and public safety, invest wisely in infrastructure, and encourage economic development that strengthens our tax base.

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?

I would bring a combination of legal experience, public-policy experience, and a strong connection to the community. As an attorney for more than a decade, I have built my career analyzing complex issues, working with people who may have different perspectives, and finding practical solutions. I have also spent years working on public policy and currently serve my community on the Bloomingdale Planning and Zoning Commission. Those experiences have taught me the importance of asking tough questions, listening to stakeholders, and understanding the long-term consequences of government decisions.

My top priority would be responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars. DuPage County should continue providing high-quality services while constantly looking for ways to operate more efficiently and keep the tax burden on families and businesses as low as possible. That means scrutinizing spending, supporting public safety, maintaining critical infrastructure, and pursuing responsible economic development that expands our tax base and creates opportunities.

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

I believe the best way to strengthen County finances is through economic growth and greater efficiency—not by simply asking taxpayers to pay more.

On the revenue side, I would prioritize economic development that attracts and retains businesses, expands our commercial tax base, and creates jobs. DuPage County should remain competitive by streamlining permitting where possible, supporting responsible development, and working with municipalities and economic development partners to bring new investment into the County. I would also aggressively pursue available state and federal grants so DuPage taxpayers receive their fair share of funding for infrastructure and other eligible projects.

On the savings side, I would support regular reviews of County programs, contracts, and purchasing practices to identify duplication and unnecessary expenses. I would also look for opportunities to expand shared services and intergovernmental cooperation. Technology should also be used strategically ease administrative processes, improve productivity, and lower costs.

My goal would be straightforward: grow the tax base, eliminate unnecessary costs, and make every taxpayer dollar work harder.

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 I believe we can continue to improve is transportation access for seniors, individuals with disabilities, and residents who have difficulty reaching employment, medical appointments, and other essential services. DuPage County has existing programs, but transportation gaps remain, particularly for residents who do not have access to a vehicle.

I would focus first on improving and coordinating existing services rather than creating an entirely new County program. DuPage should work more effectively with Pace, townships, municipalities, nonprofit organizations, and existing programs such as Ride DuPage to identify service gaps, reduce duplication, and make transportation options easier for residents to navigate. However, any expansion should be targeted, measurable, and fiscally responsible.

More broadly, I believe the County Board should be cautious about creating new programs simply because a need exists. We should first determine whether we can address that need by improving existing services, partnering with organizations already doing the work, or leveraging outside funding. That approach can improve services while respecting taxpayers.

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

Yes. Local government works best when elected officials can disagree on policy but still work together to solve problems. County Board members may come from different political parties and perspectives, but ultimately we are all accountable to the same residents and taxpayers.

I would bring a collaborative, solutions-oriented approach to the Board. As an attorney, I have spent my career working with people on opposing sides of difficult issues, identifying areas of agreement, and finding practical paths forward. I would bring that same approach to county government.

Bipartisanship does not mean abandoning your principles or agreeing on every issue. It means operating with respect, listening to different viewpoints, and keeping the lines of communication open.

Residents expect their elected officials to govern, not simply engage in partisan disagreements. I would work with any Board member who is committed to finding responsible solutions that benefit DuPage County residents and taxpayers.

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

County Board compensation should be reasonable, transparent, and reflective of the responsibilities and time commitment required of the position, while recognizing that the money ultimately comes from taxpayers.

I would not make increasing County Board members’ pay a priority. My focus would be on ensuring that residents receive value for every dollar spent by County government. Any future changes to elected officials’ compensation should be considered publicly, based on objective factors such as the responsibilities of the position, comparable counties, and the County’s overall financial condition.

I also believe elected officials should hold themselves to the same standard of fiscal discipline that they expect from every County department. If we are asking departments to find efficiencies and control costs, the County Board should lead by example.

Ultimately, public service should be motivated by the opportunity to serve the community, and I would approach compensation decisions with the interests of DuPage County taxpayers first.

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

One of the most important issues facing families in District 1 is affordability. Property taxes, housing costs, and the overall cost of living continue to put pressure on household budgets, particularly for young families and seniors who want to remain in the communities they call home.

The County Board does not control every taxing body or every factor driving those costs, but it should lead by example. I would focus on keeping the County’s portion of the property-tax burden under control by scrutinizing spending, identifying efficiencies, pursuing state and federal grants, and avoiding unnecessary expansion of government.

We also need to grow our economy. I would support responsible economic development that attracts new employers, helps existing businesses expand, and redevelops underutilized properties. A stronger commercial and industrial base can generate additional economic activity without simply turning to homeowners for more revenue.

As a father raising four children in DuPage County, I want families to be able to afford to stay here. My approach would be to protect essential services while making fiscal discipline and economic growth priorities in every decision.