DuPage County Board District 4 incumbents face opponents

Two incumbents representing District 4 on the DuPage County Board are facing challengers in the Nov. 3 election.

Grant Eckhoff, a Wheaton Republican who began serving on the county board in 2002, is seeking reelection to a four-year term. He is being challenged by Paula McGowen, a Glen Ellyn Democrat and Milton Township trustee.

Mary FitzGerald Ozog, a Glen Ellyn Democrat first elected to the county board in 2018, is seeking reelection to a two-year term. She is being challenged by Isobel Michaud, a Wheaton Republican.

Here’s what the candidates had to say about what they would do on the county board.

2-year seat candidates

During her eight years on the board, Ozog said the county has adopted programs — such as awarding COVID grants to aid small businesses and address food insecurity, opening the Crisis Recovery Center in 2025, and small grants to aid local nonprofits — to help improve the quality of life. As chair of the county’s transportation committee, she looks forward to the construction of a new county maintenance facility to replace a 70-year-old building.

“All of these initiatives make life better in DuPage,” Ozog said, noting the county has been able to offer the programs without raising the property tax rate.

Ozog identified the cost of living as a key concern, and said the county should continue programs to aid those facing food insecurity and struggling with housing costs. She said she would like to see a pilot ride-share program offered in the Hinsdale Lake Terrace area to other areas of DuPage to make it easier for people to get around the county and for work or appointments.

Michaud, 29, said her priorities are to cut taxes, streamline the budget and advocate for programs that will help prepare the workforce for an AI-driven economy. She said the county could make use of local businesses, community colleges and universities to help build careers and jobs.

“Connecting people to good jobs helps address nearly every other community issue,” she said, noting a thriving workforce expands the tax base and fuels the local economy.

In her responses to a Daily Herald candidate questionnaire, she said the county should consider using its surplus to rebate property taxes, pay down debt and rolling back the county gas tax.

4-year seat candidates

Eckhoff, 67, said he wants to see the county continue to provide essential services with the least amount of burden on taxpayers. In his responses to the Daily Herald candidate questionnaire, Eckhoff notes the county has a healthy reserve fund and could use that to further reduce its property tax rate.

He supports consolidation in government to lower taxes and wants to ensure that county tax revenues are being used on programs that benefit residents. He pointed to a recent $2.5 million grant to Loaves and Fishes as one that “disproportionately benefited” residents outside of DuPage County.

“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,” Eckhoff said in his questionnaire.

Eckhoff said he would work to continue to address stormwater management and advocates for increased funding to buy out homes that flood.

McGowen, 72, says she would bring a “collaborative approach” and “a willingness to listen” to address the needs of District 4 residents.

She highlighted mental health and affordable housing as top priorities. While the county’s proposed budget includes funding for down payment and rental assistance, McGowen said the county needs to work with municipalities, developers and nonprofit agencies to increase the amount of affordable housing options. She also supports expanding mental health services to address long-term treatment options.

As a Milton Township trustee, McGowen said she has seen firsthand the increasing demand on food pantries. She said Milton Township officials increased hours at the food pantry and expanded senior lunches from once every three months to once a month, but demand continues to rise.

“These are our neighbors, seniors and working families who are struggling with the rising costs of everyday necessities,” she said. “We need to strengthen partnerships among the county, townships, nonprofits and community organizations to make sure resources are reaching the people who need them most.”

Alicia Fabbre is a freelance reporter for the Daily Herald.