Grant Eckhoff: 2026 candidate for DuPage County Board District 4

Bio

Office sought: DuPage County Board District 4

Party: Republican

City: Wheaton

Age: 67

Previous offices held: Wheaton City Council 1989-2002

Q&A

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

I want to continue to make county government deliver essential services at the lowest possible tax rate. At this time our reserves are too high, and our tax rate should be reduced allowing us to reduce the county's portion of the property tax. I want to continue to be a voice that supports our Sheriff, State's Attorney and Public Defender and advocate for modifications to the Safety Act in order to return discretion to our Judges.

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?

When I was Chairman of the Public Safety Committee it took me 5 years to change a county policy in order to allow retired police officers to work security at the courthouse. This was very crucial in maintaining staffing after the “Defund the Police” movement lowered the number of people applying to be a Deputy Sheriff.

I have continually advocated to have our DuPage County Taxpayers tax dollars be used to benefit DuPage County and not other counties unless the other counties contribute to the project. While I support food pantries and gun safety, our expenditure of 2.5 million on Loaves and Fishes disproportionately benefited nonDuPage people without tax dollars from the other counties and I expect our $25,000 to give away gun vaults will do the same thing since we are not checking on the residency of the beneficiaries.

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

Consolidation of government. In our state with more units of government than any other state we need the creation of efficiencies would lower the cost of government, lower taxes and in many cases make government more responsive. Consolidation would also allow news agencies to more easily report on the activities of government in order to hold it more accountable.

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

DuPage County is one of the most well to do counties in the country. There is not an issue that we have wanted to address that we have not addressed. Recently we have addressed mental health and crises management and we need to continue our strides in those areas.

I have suggested that we increase storm water management and the buyout of homes that flood and I think the county is moving in that direction.

We have the financial resources now to manage both of these projects.

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

We have bipartisanship and cooperation on 95% of our agenda items. On the few issues with which there is disagreement we always need to maintain decorum and be polite to others that may not share our view.

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

The pay raises to board members this year was the first raises in 12 years. I would leave them as is for another period of time.

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

All of the issues that I have discussed above are important to my district. In addition to those items I have advocated for the increased buyout of homes that flood. I have suggested that we increase the number of homes bought out annually from 5 to 25. This may not appear to be a large number, but it literally takes hundreds of thousands of dollars to complete the buyouts so 25 homes is a substantial undertaking.