Four candidates vie for open DuPage County Board seats in District 2

Voters in DuPage County Board District 2 will be electing two new people to represent them on Nov. 3.

Downers Grove Democrat Christopher Espinoza and Villa Park Republican Robert “Rusty” Stevens are seeking a four-year term on the board. Lombard Democrat Mary Rada Walters and Hinsdale Republican Theresa McClear are candidates for a two-year term in District 2.

Incumbents Paula Deacon Garcia and Yeena Yoo are not seeking reelection to the county board. Deacon Garcia is running as the Democratic candidate for county clerk, and Yoo is the Democratic candidate for county treasurer.

Here’s what the candidates say they’ll bring to the board if elected:

2-year seat candidates

Walters, a bankruptcy and social security disability attorney, said she has seen firsthand how quickly people can find themselves in crisis when things like housing or health care become unaffordable. In response to a Daily Herald candidate questionnaire, Walters, 40, noted that services or programs that provide assistance in key areas, such as housing or mental health, can be a lifeline to residents who are struggling.

In addition to focusing on those social programs, Walters said she would like to see improvement in public transportation. While residents can get close to where they need to go for work or a medical appointment, she said there is a gap between the station and a final destination. She suggested the county could use resources from the Northern Illinois Transit Authority to help address that gap.

“Improving transit access is not just about mobility,” she said. “It supports independence, workforce participation, and aging in place, and it is a smart investment in the county’s long-term economic health.”

McClear, a former Downers Grove Township trustee, lists mental health, disability services, food insecurity and addiction treatment among some of the greatest needs in the county.

“When knocking on doors, talking with people at train stations and attending community meetings, I continue to hear how deeply these challenges affect families,” she said.

McClear, 58, said she would support educational speaker series, annual resource events and partnerships to make people aware of the services offered. If additional funding is needed to support programs, she said she would support a long-term plan that clearly outlined costs and provided residents a chance to weigh in.

4-year seat candidates

Espinoza, 26, lists affordability as a top concern and says he would work to ensure that living in DuPage County is affordable for its residents.

“Stable housing is the foundation for everything else, from good jobs and reliable transportation to strong public services,” he said.

Improving public transportation and continuing the county’s efforts to fight food insecurity are among his top priorities.

He also supports creating satellite centers to bring the mental health services offered at the county’s Crisis Recovery Center to underserved areas. He said the county could work with township 708 boards and leverage state or federal grants to expand services.

Espinoza, a school board member in Downers Grove Township High School District 99 since 2021, said he would resign from his school board seat if elected to represent District 2.

Stevens, 68, says the county needs to be more fiscally responsible.

Among some of the county’s “bright spots,” Stevens points to the sheriff’s rehabilitative programs for inmates, the care provided at the county’s convalescent center, mental health programs and the county’s efforts to address food insecurity and housing.

“Anything that does not fall into the category of these areas of safety and a societal safety net need to be looked at very carefully,” he said, adding the county should be reviewing other expenses to determine if they are truly a need.

To help support the county’s revenue stream, he said he would look at ways to make the county a more attractive place to do business. He said he would not support additional utility, commodity or service taxes that would further burden families or businesses.

Alicia Fabbre is a freelance reporter for the Daily Herald.