Cronin for DuPage chairman, GOP
For the first time in more than a decade, someone other than Robert Schillerstrom will be elected chairman of the DuPage County Board. Schillerstrom, who is running for governor, is stepping down from the county position.
On the Republican side, four highly qualified candidates will square off in the Feb. 2 primary. We think two have risen to the top: state Sen. Dan Cronin of Elmhurst and incumbent county board member Debra Olson of Wheaton.
Cronin brings a wealth of experience to the job. He has served ably in the state legislature since 1991, sponsoring landmark tax cap legislation that substantially put the brakes on runaway government spending. He also chaired the influential Senate education committee.
Olson, in her third term on the county board, has championed ethics reform and vowed to make holding the line on taxes a priority.
Also seeking the top county post are state Sen. Carole Pankau of Roselle and Gary Grasso, mayor of Burr Ridge.
In the end, though, it is Cronin's experience and his maturation in the state legislature that make him the preferred candidate for county chairman. He, unlike some other Republicans in Springfield, saw the value of finding ways to get some things for his district from the Democratic majority in Springfield.
Cronin also served an assistant state's attorney in DuPage in the 1980s.
His views on DuPage issues are thoughtful, too. He suggests a re-examination of county revenue projections to ensure they are not overly optimistic. Cronin also proposes reinstatement of a full-time county administrator to oversee the day-to-day operations of the county. Olson, meanwhile, vows to take on this task herself, making the chairman's job full time. We tend to support the belief that a professional administrator is the right call.
Similarly, Olson has called for an end to accepting campaign contributions from vendors that do business with the county. Frankly, we like the idea, though Cronin suggests such an ordinance might not withstand constitutionality tests. He favors better disclosure, and we agree this should be a priority.
Grasso, meanwhile, is an impressive candidate with some practical ideas, making his first run at county office. We're concerned that he might be too much of an outsider, and would have a tough time taking over the reins of county government.
Pankau has a three-pronged bring-jobs-to-DuPage program that she touts. But her campaign, too, has included attacks on Olson that seem counterproductive and possibly unfounded.
So, DuPage residents should not be uncomfortable with any of the GOP candidates, but given his overall experience, ability to work in a tough environment, we favor Cronin for the chairman's position.