Endorsement: Gwen Henry for DuPage County treasurer

The race for DuPage County treasurer pits longtime Republican incumbent Gwen Henry of Wheaton against Democrat challenger Yeena Yoo of Elmhurst.

Yoo is an excellent candidate. She’s a litigation attorney who has served on the DuPage County Board since 2022. Yoo decided not to seek reelection to her District 2 seat so she could run for county treasurer.

If elected, Yoo says she would bring fresh eyes and dedication as a “thoughtful, engaged leader” in the treasurer position.

Henry, who was first elected DuPage County treasurer in 2006, is a certified public accountant with financial and leadership experience. She also has a long record of public service. Henry is a former mayor of Wheaton and served as a county board member and forest preserve commissioner.

Over the years, Henry has worked to improve returns on investments and enhance customer service in the treasurer’s office. She also introduced electronic billing and electronic payments and started allowing partial property tax payments.

To continue improving the office’s efficiency, Henry says she’s working to increase the number of taxpayers who receive their property tax bills by email and pay them online.

Henry said increasing the number of emailed bills reduces costs for both postage and employee time to process transactions.

Yoo agrees the office should continue working to encourage more taxpayers to receive their property tax bills by email and pay online. But she says the office needs new leadership to modernize its operations and improve taxpayer services.

She said the office needs to modernize by reducing its reliance on paper, printing and postage. It must also expand digital services and payment options for residents. Yoo says she has the experience, vision and determination to help the office keep pace with modern expectations.

Yoo certainly makes a very strong case for herself. Her legal knowledge and experience on the county board would help her lead the office. But Henry has been the county treasurer for a very long time. And under her leadership, the office has run smoothly. So while we are very impressed with Yoo, we don't see a reason to make a change.

Henry is endorsed.