Matt Dingeldein: 2026 candidate for Kane County Board District 2 (2-year term)

Bio

Party: Democratic

Office sought: Kane County Board District 2 (2-year term)

City: North Aurora

Age: 42

Occupation: Outside sales representative

Previous offices held: NA

Q&A

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

I like where I live, and I want to do what I can to make sure my neighbors do too. I have strong interests in environmental and financial sustainability, both of which are affected by some of the challenges facing the county.

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 am not an incumbent, and this is my first time running for office. I'll contribute the board by listening to constituents and leaders in my district. Community engagement will afford me the ability to translate the district's needs into thoughtful action.

I will also be prepared for meetings in a way that keeps them productive and thereby brief, hopefully making them more accessible to the members of the community who would like to participate or listen.

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

I think the greatest need is for publicly supported, widely available information about what services and amenities the county provides. With trusted marketing and media partners (and internally, with tools like the Kane County Connect) local government can help residents understand what services and amenities are available to them.

Doing so could be financed through existing revenue streams, internal teams, or vendor relationships. I'll also advocate for inter-community snow and ice control on the river trail for those who want and need access to it during the winter months. It could be funding publicly or privately, whether through grants, county revenue, or community donations.

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 will support initiatives focused on improving communication with residents about where county revenue comes from and how it is spent. While the information is available, it might not be accessible.

From there, I will support initiatives that review the county's contracting relationships to make sure that the money being invested is proportional to the value of the services being provided. Beyond that, I will participate in conversations about generating revenue with an open mind.

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

Trust in and cynicism about local government. The county should address it first by acknowledging the relationship between revenue and spending and their effects on property taxes. Increasing costs of living affect residents and government alike, and both groups are responsible for collaborating to address it.

Then, identifying areas of opportunity for improvement through conversations among residents, local leaders, and the business community. From there, decisions can be made based on wants, needs, and available financial information, which residents can find at kanecounty.finance.socrata.com/#!/dashboard.

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

My goal of prioritizing communication and understanding, my ability to build and maintain relationships, and my desire to discover and celebrate the commonalities we share make me the best person to serve in this role.