Q&A with Campuzano

1. Why are you running for this office, whether for re-election or election the first time? Is there a particular issue that motivates you, and if so, what is that? What will be your main priority in office?

Being an incumbent, I know I have a positive effect on the constituents and I enjoy serving the residents of DuPage County. The issues that motivate me are, maintaining taxes at a minimum, Healthcare, and Development of the Elgin/O'Hare Corridor, and Western Access to O'Hare Airport, in providing and include a cohesive agreement with local residents. Along with the issues, of the day like; general services, transportation, roads, and keeping crime at a low rate.

2. If you are an incumbent, describe you main contributions. Tell us of important initiatives you've led. If you are not an incumbent, tell us what contributions you would like to make.

As a member of the county board I have been productive on a third FQHC (Federally Quality Healthcare Center) facility located in Addison for anyone, or anyone with Medicare, insured, and the under served. This is a large resource for our community. Our goal is to have four FQHC's, and we are more than half way there. The county has also been instrumental in helping create a 2nd assisted living facility for Medicaid eligible seniors. The county board has granted a preliminary set of funds from the federal housing grant to help construct Alden Gardens, a 88-unit complex with 86 beds in Bloomingdale. The facility will cater to senior who need assistance with their daily activities, but not round-the-clock care of a nursing home. These are the type of facilities that are valuable to our communities and as a county board, we are able to better facilitate and serve our residents and elderly of DuPage County.

3. What are your thoughts on how to best make use of revenue from the county sales tax increase approved by the state legislature? What should be done with any surplus from the sales tax increase?

With the revenue from the County Sales Tax, we were able to restore all critical public safety, Convalescent Center and other positions that were at risk. With this revenue we will be able to enhance the public safety standards that have kept DuPage communities and families safe. Law enforcement and our excellent court system must be maintained. As a member of the county board I helped to restored Human Services grants cuts and Access DuPage; as well as mental health programs. The county board also was helpful in creating a Reserve Fund for future strategic issues or emergencies.

4. Should candidates for county board and other elected offices accept campaign contributions from companies that do business with the county? If so why? If not, why not, and how should this be addressed? If you have accepted campaign contributions from county vendors, please list them by name and amount.

The public deserves the highest ethical standards of its elected officials and government employees. Our County Board has very firm and stringent procurement policies that work to make it particularly difficult for any undue influence from a contributor to occur.

Our procurement process goes beyond standards set by many government entities. Requests for qualifications and proposals are carefully reviewed by staff. Contracts must first be approved by a parent committee. The Finance Committee than evaluates the contract and the board must give final approval. Staff is asked to submit a decision memo justifying the choice of a particular vendor and fully explain the scope of services and the deliverables of the contract. Should those deliverables or standards not be met, a contract can be pulled. Do to the lateness of the hour in summiting this questionnaire a list of any contributions I may have received is available on the State Board of Elections Web site.

5. With the high price of gasoline, what should the county board be doing to improve energy efficiency in government operations? What, if anything, should the county board be doing to encourage expanded mass transit options in the county?

With the additional sales tax generated by the RTA we must use the revenue to relieve congestion and find alternatives to traffic congestions. The county is in a much better position financially to work with that agency and the service providers (Pace and Metra) that will offer an updated plan that increases mobility, decreases delay time and in general make transit more viable. The county will continue to meet with representatives from Pace and Metra, to continue and initiate conversation on exactly what DuPage County can expect to see in terms of additional investment of transit dollars allocated to these agencies as part of the RTA reform. Without practical transit options, gas consumption will continue to weaken our economy, deteriorate our air quality and rob our pocketbooks.

6. What are your thoughts on the Canadian National Railway's proposal to purchase the Elgin, Joliet and Eastern Railway Co. in order to reroute some freight train traffic lines in Chicago and inner suburbs?

I oppose the purchase of The EJ&E by Canadian National. I do not believe we have thoroughly studied the negative impacts and the environmental consequences this proposal would have on local residents and communities. There are also safety issues that have not been reviewed to my satisfaction.