Christopher Espinoza: 2026 candidate for DuPage County Board District 2

Bio

Office sought: DuPage County Board District 2

Party: Democrat

City: Downers Grove

Age: 26

Previous offices held: District 99 Board of Education Member

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 I want to make sure every resident has a real chance to thrive. Having experienced homelessness myself, I know firsthand what it feels like to rely on county services and struggle to find stable, affordable housing. That lived experience is why I am so deeply committed to making DuPage affordable for our families, seniors, and young people. Stable housing is the foundation for everything else, from good jobs and reliable transportation to strong public services. I want to build a county government that invests in real opportunities, listens to voices that are too often overlooked, and proves that your struggles don't define your potential. I'm running to be the kind of leader my younger self needed, and to ensure DuPage County works for everyone who calls it home.

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?

I would bring practical experience, policy knowledge, and a perspective rooted in real-life challenges to the DuPage County Board. As a two-term District 99 School Board member, I oversee multi-million-dollar budgets, make tough financial decisions, and balance fiscal responsibility while maintaining critical services. Having relied on county services myself, I understand how policies affect residents and can advocate for solutions that work. My experience working in the Illinois Senate President’s Office and long-standing relationships with county leaders allow me to navigate government effectively and hit the ground running on day one. At a time when the county faces rising costs, housing unaffordability, and growing demands on social services, my perspective is needed to ensure decisions reflect real community needs. I will bring a results-oriented approach, amplify the voices of those too often overlooked, and have the answers to the questions other board members don’t even know to ask.

What initiatives would you support to increase revenue and/or save money?

With the county’s budget being squeezed by federal funding cuts and continually rising costs, I would promote economic development that drives sales and use taxes, explore modest fee adjustments for services that reflect actual costs, and advocate for fair state revenue sharing, including Local Government Distributive Fund distributions. I would also conduct regular audits of existing funding models and program performance to identify redundancies and improve efficiency, and consider delaying nonessential capital improvements to prioritize critical services and investments.

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

While the Crisis Recovery Center in Wheaton provides essential 24/7 mental health support, access remains limited for residents in other parts of DuPage County. I support expanding satellite mental health service locations in underserved areas to provide crisis screening, short-term stabilization, and connections to ongoing care. These centers would collaborate with the Crisis Recovery Center, mobile crisis teams, and Township 708 mental health boards to coordinate services and reduce gaps in care. This could be funded through federal and state behavioral health grants, allocations within the county budget, and local 708 board resources. We can leverage existing programs and partnerships, expand access to mental health care, reduce unnecessary emergency room visits, and ensure residents across DuPage County can get timely support when they need it most.

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, we definitely need more cooperation on the county board. National politics matter and people hold deeply rooted beliefs for good reasons, but at the county level, those debates take a back seat to getting things done. Flooded basements, housing costs, and mental health crises don't care about party labels. My focus would be on bringing people together around basic, practical results. Sitting down with board members from both sides to look at the actual facts of an issue and work through disagreements privately so we can deliver real solutions for DuPage.

What is your stance on county board members' pay? Is it too high, too low, or just right? Would you propose any changes?

County board pay is really a balancing act between fairly compensating public servants and keeping government accessible. The pay needs to be realistic enough so that any normal person or working parent can actually afford to step up and serve, rather than pricing out everyday folks and leaving board seats only to the wealthy or retired. While modest adjustments to keep pace with inflation make sense over time, any proposal to change compensation must be debated out in the open and voted on publicly so voters have complete transparency and can hold their representatives directly accountable.

What is the most important issue facing the county in your district and how should it be addressed?

The most important issue in our district is affordability. Rising housing costs, utility bills, and transportation expenses are putting pressure on families, seniors, and young people. The county can address this by expanding housing programs for low and moderate-income households, leveraging federal and state housing grants, and supporting policies that maintain housing stability. Improving public transit and infrastructure can reduce commuting costs and expand access to jobs. Funding human services, food programs, and mental health services ensures residents can meet basic needs. Supporting small businesses and workforce development creates local jobs and income opportunities, helping residents keep pace with the cost of living while strengthening the county’s economy.