Melissa Martinez: 2026 candidate for DuPage County Board District 6 (2-year term)

Bio

Office sought: DuPage County Board District 6 (2-year term)

Party: Democrat

City: West Chicago

Age: 46

Previous offices held: DuPage County Board District 6

Q&A

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

I’m running to continue serving on the DuPage County Board because I believe county government should work for every resident and that decisions should be made with both fiscal responsibility and humanity in mind. What motivates me most is making sure people can actually access the services that are available to them. That means addressing barriers to mental health care, transportation, housing stability, public health services, and other resources that can make a real difference in someone’s life. A program only works if residents know about it and can reach it.

I also believe strongly in asking questions, staying informed, and being thoughtful about how taxpayer dollars are spent. I want DuPage County to remain a place where families and businesses can prosper while ensuring that residents who need county services are not left behind.

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?

Since joining the DuPage County Board in August 2025, I have focused on being informed, asking questions, and making thoughtful decisions that balance fiscal responsibility with the needs of our residents.

I serve on the Finance, Economic Development, Development, Environmental, Technology, Animal Services, and Housing Solutions committees. These assignments allow me to contribute to decisions affecting our county's future.

As the only Latina on the County Board, I am proud to bring a perspective that has historically been underrepresented. I've worked to strengthen connections with our Latino community and have spoken out about ICE activity and its impact on families, businesses, and community trust.

I believe meaningful contributions are about listening, asking difficult questions, and ensuring residents are considered in every decision. My priority is making county services more accessible while supporting economic opportunity, housing stability, and responsible use of taxpayer dollars.

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

I support economic development initiatives that attract new businesses, encourage investment, and strengthen our local economy. A thriving business community helps expand our tax base without placing additional burdens on residents.

I also support regularly reviewing county programs and contracts to identify inefficiencies, eliminate duplication, and ensure we're getting the best value for taxpayer dollars. We should pursue available state and federal grants and explore opportunities to collaborate with municipalities and other agencies to share resources and reduce costs.

However, I believe it's important to look beyond immediate savings. Cutting a program today could create greater expenses tomorrow. My approach is to ask questions, evaluate the long-term impact of our decisions, and balance fiscal responsibility with our obligation to provide essential services to residents.

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

DuPage County offers many valuable services, but I believe one of our biggest challenges is ensuring residents can actually access them. Transportation remains a significant barrier, particularly for seniors, individuals with disabilities, and residents who need reliable transportation to medical appointments, mental health services, and other essential resources.

I would support expanding transportation options through partnerships with municipalities, townships, and existing service providers. We should also improve outreach so residents are aware of the programs already available to them, including services offered in multiple languages.

To fund these improvements, I would prioritize seeking state and federal grants, strengthening partnerships, and evaluating existing resources before proposing new spending.

I don't believe the answer is always creating another program. Sometimes it's making the programs we already fund more accessible, efficient, and responsive to the people who need them.

Does there need to be more bipartisanship and cooperation on the county board? If yes, what would you do to help make that happen?

I believe there is always room for more cooperation, but I also think it's important to recognize that we already work together on many issues. Not every decision needs to be viewed through a partisan lens.

My approach has always been to stay informed, ask questions, listen to different perspectives, and evaluate issues on their merits rather than by party affiliation. I respect that my colleagues may have different priorities or opinions, and I believe those differences can lead to better decisions when we're willing to have meaningful conversations.

I would continue building relationships across the board, looking for common ground, and keeping the needs of DuPage County residents at the center of our discussions.

Bipartisanship doesn't mean we have to agree on everything. I have strong convictions and won't hesitate to speak up when something matters to me, but I also believe we can disagree respectfully and still work together to move our county forward.

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

I view my role on the County Board as a service to our community, and I believe the current compensation is fair and appropriate for the responsibilities of the position.

I voted against increasing our salaries because I did not believe an increase was necessary. While serving on the County Board requires time, preparation, and commitment, I believe we should be mindful of the financial impact our decisions have on taxpayers.

I would not support a salary increase at this time. My focus is on being a responsible steward of taxpayer dollars and ensuring county resources are used effectively to serve our residents.

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

I believe one of the most important issues facing District 6 is ensuring that all residents have access to the resources and opportunities they need to thrive. DuPage County has many excellent services, but too often, barriers such as transportation, language, affordability, and lack of awareness prevent people from accessing them.

Our district is home to diverse communities, working families, seniors, and small businesses, each with different needs. We need to recognize those differences and make sure our county is responding to them.

I support improving access to mental health care, expanding transportation options, addressing housing affordability, and strengthening communication between county government and our residents.

I also believe we need to focus on economic development that brings good jobs and investment into our communities.

My approach is to build on the resources we already have, strengthen partnerships with local organizations, and make thoughtful investments that improve residents' quality of life without placing unnecessary burdens on taxpayers.