Lynn LaPlante: 2024 candidate for DuPage County Board District 4

Bio

Party: Democrat

Office Sought: DuPage County Board District 4

City: Glen Ellyn

Age: 53

Occupation: Commissioner, DuPage County Board; Violinist and violist; writer

Previous offices held: Two terms as DuPage County Board member; four terms elected precinct captain

Why are you running for this office, whether for reelection or election for the first time? Is there a particular issue that motivates you? If so, what?

I am running for reelection to my third term on the board to finish what I started. Namely, I am in the middle of a feasibility study on economic development and the arts in DuPage County.

We are exploring opportunities in the arts and culture sector for growth both in terms of the economy and in driving tourism to our region.

The feasibility study is examining the possibility of building a performing arts center in DuPage County, and we are currently in Phase 2 of the study, which looks like a very promising course of action.

Another program that I wish to continue working on is through the JUST program at the county jail. I started playing my violin for the detainees as a way to help bring down recidivism rates, and I believe there is room for growth to expand this program.

I want to continue the work I started for the county, focusing on bringing new ideas and initiatives for economic development and positive public health outcomes to DuPage County.

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?

As chair of Community Development Committee, we voted to fund $5 million toward DuPage County's first permanent homeless shelter, in partnership with PADS; as chair of the Economic Development Committee, I have worked closely with our community partners to find new and innovative ways to encourage economic growth and increase tourism.

I secured federal American Rescue Plan Act dollars to fund the county's first feasibility study on sports and culture in DuPage County; also created and chaired the county's first-ever Ad Hoc Fine Arts Committee; and ensured we added language to our latest strategic plan that showed as a county, we support the arts as they drive the economy, increase tourism, and contribute to overall positive public health — the first time in our county's history we have included such language in our plan.

I have also worked with the JUST program at the county jail by playing my violin to help detainees via music therapy, a program we hope to expand.

Describe your position regarding the balance between county spending and revenues as it exists today, then describe the chief threats you see looming in the future and how the county should deal with them.

Our job on the county board is a fiscal one and our responsibility is to invest in DuPage County by spending and managing our funds for the greatest benefit of all.

DuPage County is in excellent fiscal shape, our budget is balanced, our funding secure. I believe a budget is a moral document — it shows what your true values and priorities are. The chief threats that I see looming in the future have to do with county-wide elected officials refusing to work in compliance not only with the board at large, but in compliance with state laws and bylaws.

I have stood up and spoken up, loudly and doggedly on these issues, to great personal and political peril. But it was the right thing to do, and my persistence for fiscal responsibility has paid off: consequences are finally being doled out and I have brought these urgent fiscal matters from the shadows into the light.

The county should deal with these issues boldly, urgently, and with transparency and honesty. I know I will continue to do so.

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, I am a huge believer in bipartisan cooperation, and I have made it one of my missions since I was first elected in 2020. The vast, vast majority of the work we do is nonpartisan in nature. I have enjoyed great working relationships with my colleagues across the aisle and I will continue that course of action.

There is always common ground to be found, and local government is the perfect place to work together in a bipartisan manner, as neighbors, toward the greatest good.

I made the promise when I first ran for office in 2018 that I would do my best to make things less partisan at the local level, and I am proud to say I have kept that promise successfully, and I will continue to do so.

I will also continue to call out egregious behavior and actions regardless of party affiliation. It's time for less ugliness and more productive work.

Earlier this year, some suggested that the 1996 state law that established a separate forest preserve board in DuPage County should be undone and that the forest preserve should be returned to the control of the county board. Do you support that idea? Why or why not?

I am always willing to listen to new ideas and approaches to doing things. I know other counties similar to DuPage in size, budget, and region have the forest preserve under the control of their county board, and of course, this is how it was done for many decades in DuPage. I would be very interested in hearing and exploring arguments made for and against this idea.

What are your thoughts about the condition of the county fairgrounds in Wheaton? Should the county play a greater role in improving and maintaining the structures on the property?

The county fairgrounds are one of my most favorite places in all of DuPage! I love the history, the events hosted there, the sense of community and belonging it provides. I also believe they are vastly underutilized.

The potential for the fairgrounds is huge and yes, absolutely, I believe the county should have a greater role in steering the fairgrounds to its best use for all. Our feasibility study on the arts is looking closely at the fairgrounds as a possible site to build an outdoor music and arts venue, which I think would be an amazing opportunity for DuPage.

There is not much open and contiguous land available in our county — these acres should be treasured and any plans carried out should be for the highest and best use, with a clear eye toward future enjoyment and potential of this land.

I do not believe we should industrialize the fairgrounds; instead, we should make it a place for greater community, while also driving economic development and tourism in DuPage County.

What are your thoughts about the consolidation? Should the county play a greater role in streamlining and consolidating local government? Why or why not?

I think consolidation needs to be looked at on a case-by-case basis. Consolidation for the sake of consolidation is not always good governance. Sometimes, separation of duties is necessary and vital for success.

Again, I am always open to new ideas and initiatives and am happy to hear and learn about new opportunities and options. Certain layers of duplicative government need to be examined and if need be, steps taken for more effective and efficient streamlining. I can't stand wasting time, resources or energy, so I promise to always look for ways to be the most effective and efficient.

What role should the county play in combating the opioid crisis?

Our health department is second to none, not only in Illinois, but I would say amongst the best in the nation.

The work they are doing to address the opioid crisis is innovative, compassionate, and effective. The underlying issues and reasons behind substance use disorders needs to be addressed: isolation and loneliness, mental health issues, depression, anxiety — all these conditions are part and parcel of the opioid crisis.

The new Crisis Recovery Center is addressing all of these issues head on, and I can't wait until it is open: it will be an amazing resource for everyone in DuPage County, and a much needed resource and tool to help in our fight against the opioid crisis.

What role should the county play in increasing affordable housing in the region?

A lead role! And that is what we are already doing. We have a full-board Affordable Housing Task Force that is working on this issue currently. We are listening to expert opinions on affordable housing and looking at successful examples from around the country in order to fine tune our approach. There is absolutely a need to provide affordable housing in DuPage County and we are already working, as a board of the whole, on this matter right now.