DuPage Dist. 1 county board candidates talk transparency

The two candidates vying for a DuPage County Board District 1 seat on Nov. 2 both say government transparency is among their top priorities, but they have different ideas on how much change is needed.

Incumbent Donald Puchalski, an attorney who lives in Addison, said DuPage is already “the most transparent county in the state of Illinois since it posts videos of each board meeting online. Still, he said he'd like to see the webcasts go a step further with postings of committee meetings that directly affect residents, such as transportation and finance.

“Sometimes I think our meetings give people the wrong idea of what's being done because they just see us come in and vote ‘yes' or ‘no' on important issues and don't realize they have been discussed in-depth in committee, Puchalski said.

His Democratic challenger, Kathryn Salzano, a teacher from Elmhurst, said the committee system itself is a problem and broadcasting those meetings isn't enough.

“Too much is handled in committee and then resolutions are passed without discussion, Salzano said. “We need to involve the shareholders, the people of DuPage.

Salzano also argues the best way to engage residents would be to schedule more night meetings, since the board primarily meets during the day, so working people can avoid the regular need for webcasts. She added that technology does have its drawbacks, since she's experienced problems uploading meeting videos and feels the county does not post meeting minutes quickly enough online.

Both hopefuls said they would like to see more of the county's expenditures itemized online, especially the bidding process and contracts for major projects.

Puchalski argues that his opponent is not offering ideas different than those being considered or in play under the board's current Republican majority. But Salzano said those same Republicans have not enacted adequate campaign finance reform.

“It would be good for the county board members to open their finances to an independent source so we could see what money is coming into their campaigns from special interest groups, she said. “I don't think there's enough transparency for who would pay to play.

Puchalski counters that the county's current ethics ordinance is adequate, and noted the current board voted 15-2 earlier this year to approve the changes that reduce the value of gifts that can be accepted by elected officials and employees. It also limits campaign contributions from companies and unions that do or seek county government work among other things.

“I don't think it's unreasonable that someone who lives and works in DuPage can make a contribution, Puchalski said. “People who write you a check respect what you do for the office and you don't owe them anything.