Eric Poplonski: 2026 candidate for DuPage County Board District 1

Bio

Party: Republican

Office sought: DuPage County Board District 1, 4-year term

City: Bloomingdale

Age: 39

Occupation: Attorney

Previous offices held: Village of Bloomingdale Planning and Zoning Committee

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 it is the body responsible ensuring that county services work effectively for residents.

The county board supports law enforcement, fosters economic development, and advances infrastructure, but those decisions must be made carefully and responsibly.

As a lawyer with 14 years of experience and currently serving the Bloomingdale Planning and Zoning Committee, I have experience evaluating policy, budgets, and long-term impacts.

I am also a father of three young children, with another on the way, so I have a personal stake in making sure DuPage County remains safe, affordable, and economically strong for families.

Public safety and responsible financial management motivate me most. Families must feel safe in their neighborhoods and confident their tax dollars are being used properly.

I support law enforcement and am tough on crime, because safe communities are the foundation of economic growth and quality of life. At the same time, every dollar spent should be justified, transparent, and tied to measurable results.

If you are an incumbent, describe a few important initiatives you’ve led. If you’re not an incumbent, describe a few ways you would contribute to the board.

I would contribute legal analysis, fiscal discipline, and practical planning experience. My background in law and service on committees with the American Association of Justice and the Chicago Bar Association allows me to evaluate contracts, policies, and expenditures critically.

From my work in planning and zoning, I bring experience balancing development with community needs. I would also focus on collaboration with law enforcement, schools, and county agencies to ensure funding aligns with real outcomes that benefit those in our community.

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

Mental health and youth-focused services need continued attention and coordination. My wife serves on a mental health advisory board, and I see firsthand how early intervention and access to services reduce long-term costs in policing, courts, and emergency care.

I support targeted investments funded through reallocation of existing resources, performance-based budgeting, and partnerships with nonprofits and school districts rather than creating new permanent bureaucracies.

With the county's budget being squeezed by federal funding cuts and other factors, what initiatives would you support to increase revenue and/or save money?

I support pro-economic development policies that retain existing businesses and attract new ones, broadening the tax base without raising rates.

On the cost side, I would advocate for regular program audits, contract reviews, and shared services between departments and municipalities where feasible. Smart growth and efficiency — not higher taxes — should be the first tools used to stabilize the budget.

What is the single most important issue facing your district, and how should the county address it?

Public safety paired with economic stability is the most important issue. Families need secure neighborhoods and good job opportunities close to home.

The county should continue strong support for law enforcement, invest in infrastructure that supports business growth, and ensure schools and youth programs remain adequately funded so families choose to stay and invest in the district.

Why are you the best person to serve in this role?

I bring a combination of legal experience, public service, and real-life perspective as a parent raising young children in DuPage County. I am the son of immigrants and a first-generation American, and I believe deeply in opportunity earned through hard work and responsible government.

I was born, raised and educated in DuPage County, specifically District 1. While public service runs in my family, District 1 runs in my blood.

I volunteer teaching constitutional law to eighth-graders because I believe in preparing the next generation for civic responsibility. I offer the board practical experience, fiscal accountability, and a personal commitment to making DuPage County safer, stronger, and better for families.