Our choices for DuPage County Board

A dozen DuPage County Board seats — two in each of the six voting districts — are up for election.

Six of the available county board seats are for 4-year terms, while the other six are for 2-year terms. Republican and Democratic candidates are facing off for all 12 seats.

Here are our choices for those contests.

District 1

In District 1, Republican Eric Poplonski of Bloomingdale is trying to unseat Democratic incumbent Michael Childress of Bloomingdale, who has served on the county board since 2022. Whoever wins will represent the district for the next four years.

Poplonski, who is an attorney, says he would bring his legal and public policy experience to the board. He said DuPage must be a responsible steward of taxpayer dollars while supporting public safety, maintaining critical infrastructure and pursuing responsible economic development.

Childress describes himself as a community activist looking to continue to build “on the solid foundation of good government combined with sound fiscal responsibility.” He chairs the board’s public works committee.

Poplonski is a really strong candidate. But Childress is an active county board member who has been involved in several projects, including a new Victims of Violence Memorial Park on the county campus in Wheaton. Childress is endorsed.

Democrat Melissa Villanueva of Elmhurst and Republican Paula Pezza, a former Elmhurst City Council member, are vying for a 2-year term representing District 1.

With a background as a Realtor, Pezza says she wants to bring her knowledge and experience to discussions about expanding housing options in DuPage. She also wants to help ensure that county government is “responsive, effective, and accountable to the people it serves.”

Villanueva, CEO of Brewpoint Coffee, says her priority as a county board member would be helping families afford to live in DuPage while ensuring the county maintains and improves the services they rely on.

While we are impressed by Pezza, Villanueva is a business owner who understands the importance of economic development. She would bring that perspective to the county board. Villanueva is endorsed.

District 2

Democrat Christopher Espinoza and Republican Robert “Rusty” Stevens are running for a 4-year seat representing District 2 on the county board.

Stevens, who lives in Villa Park, says DuPage needs to be fiscally responsible and accountable to residents. He added that the county government must prioritize its needs over wants.

Espinoza is a Downers Grove resident and a school board member in Downers Grove High School District 99. He cites affordability as a top issue and says the county should expand housing programs for low- to moderate-income households.

We have reservations about officials who serve in multiple elected positions, but Espinoza says he will resign from the District 99 board if elected. Still, his experience of serving on the school board and having helped to oversee a multi-million-dollar budget would serve him well on the county board. Espinoza is endorsed.

In the race for a 2-year seat, Republican Theresa McClear of Hinsdale is facing Democrat Mary Rada Walters of Lombard.

McClear says some of the greatest service needs in DuPage are mental health, disability services, food insecurity and addiction treatment. If elected, she said she would focus on collaboration, responsible use of taxpayer dollars and practical solutions to address those and other issues.

Meanwhile, Walters said DuPage should encourage construction of more affordable housing by offering incentives to developers and using county land strategically. She also wants efforts made to improve public transit.

Walters says she would use her skills as an attorney to listen, navigate disagreements, build consensus and advocate for constituents. That gives her an edge. Walters is endorsed.

District 3

Republican incumbent Brian Krajewski is running for a 2-year term representing District 3 on the county board. He faces a challenge from Democrat Ericka Polanco Webb, a member of the Gower School District 62 school board.

Polanco Webb, of Burr Ridge, says her priorities include increasing mental health supports, providing resources and opportunities for youth and families, and improving infrastructure in unincorporated areas.

We like Polanco Webb’s experience as a school board member. But Krajewski is a former Downers Grove mayor who has served on the county board since 2010.

As a county board member, Krajewski has championed animal advocacy issues, including the recent completion of a new animal services facility. He has also kept an eye on the budget and has spoken up when he finds problems.

If reelected, Krajewski says he would work with other board members to ensure DuPage responds to food insecurity and other challenges the community is facing. Krajewski is endorsed.

In the race for the 4-year seat in District 3, incumbent Republican Kari Galassi faces a challenge from Democrat Marcus King.

Galassi, of Hinsdale, joined the county board four years ago and says she prioritizes public safety, government accountability and fiscal responsibility.

If reelected, Galassi said she would seek to expand hyper-local mental health services and to advance stormwater management projects to help prevent major flooding. She added the county could do more to support entrepreneurs through public-private partnerships.

King, of Willowbrook, says his work experience “across government, nonprofit, public safety, housing, corrections and community organizations” has prepared him to serve as a county board member.

While King’s resume is impressive, Galassi provides more specifics about what she hopes to accomplish as a county board member. She deserves another term. Galassi is endorsed.

District 4

Democrat Paula McGowen is trying to unseat Republican incumbent Grant Eckhoff for a 4-year seat representing District 4.

McGowen is a Glen Ellyn resident who currently serves as a Milton Township trustee. She is also a longtime observer of DuPage County government. That knowledge, along with her experience as a township trustee, makes her an impressive candidate.

However, Eckhoff has served on the county board since 2002. During that time, the Wheaton resident has led on several issues, including government consolidation and addressing the opioid epidemic. He has also advocated for ways to save taxpayers’ money.

If reelected, Eckhoff says he wants to continue efforts to have the county provide essential services at the lowest possible tax rate. Eckhoff is endorsed.

In the race for the 2-year seat in District 4, Democratic incumbent Mary FitzGerald Ozog of Glen Ellyn is seeking reelection against Republican challenger Isobel Michaud of Wheaton.

Michaud has some interesting ideas. She says workforce development in the age of AI is an important issue facing the county. She also wants to cut taxes, streamline the budget and stop “irresponsible” spending.

But Ozog’s experience as an elected official is extensive. She is a former Glenbard High School District 87 school board member who has served on the county board since 2018.

As a county board member, Ozog has supported several initiatives, including efforts to address homelessness and food insecurity. If reelected, she wants to work to improve public transportation in DuPage. Ozog is endorsed.

District 5

Ian Holzhauer, a Naperville city councilman, and Naperville Park District board member Chris Jacks are vying for a 4-year term representing District 5 on the county board.

Holzhauer is a Democrat who has served on the Naperville City Council since 2021. If elected to the county board, he says he would seek to expand mental health services, improve public transit and pursue sustainable growth at the county level. He said he will leave the city council if elected to the county board.

Jacks, a Republican, has served on the Naperville park board since 2023. He says county officials should provide essential services “while keeping the cost of government and the property-tax burden under control.”

District 5 voters can’t go wrong with either candidate. But Holzhauer defeated a two-term incumbent during the Democratic primary for a reason. He has interesting views and communicates his positions well. Holzhauer is endorsed.

Democratic incumbent Dawn DeSart of Aurora faces a challenge from Aurora Republican Daniel Alejandro Lomeli in the race for a 2-year seat in District 5.

Lomeli says the biggest issues in DuPage are transportation infrastructure and affordable housing. He added he would like the county to expand efforts to address housing insecurity and poverty.

DeSart, who was first elected to the county board in 2018, brings invaluable experience to the position. She also has a proposal to reduce the size of the county board. DeSart is endorsed.

District 6

Republican incumbent Jim Zay of Carol Stream is facing a challenge from Jesse Gutierrez, a Democrat from West Chicago, in the race for a 4-year seat representing District 6 on the county board.

Gutierrez says he decided to run because he wants to be more involved in local politics. He says housing affordability is his top issue.

However, Zay has served on the county board since 1999 and is an effective leader with a wealth of knowledge about DuPage. He also knows how to get things done and has done great work as chair of the DuPage Water Commission. Zay is endorsed.

We also endorse West Chicago Democrat Melissa Martinez, who is running for the 2-year seat in District 6 along with Carol Stream Republican Kathleen Zander.

Zander says she wants to become a county board member to protect taxpayers, support public safety and law enforcement, and ensure that residents are heard.

But Martinez has done a solid job since she was appointed in August 2025 to fill a vacancy on the board. She says she wants to ensure that residents can access the many valuable services the county provides.