Wheaton man picked for county board seat

A Wheaton business owner is expected to be appointed to complete the unexpired term of former DuPage County Board member Debra Olson.

William Bedrossian of Wheaton on Friday was named Chairman Dan Cronin’s choice to represent District 4 for the rest of Olson’s term, which ends Nov. 30. Board members are scheduled to approve Bedrossian’s appointment Tuesday.

“As a business owner, Bill understands the need to contain costs and boost productivity, which are some of the very goals we are seeking to achieve here in county government,” Cronin said in a statement. “His involvement in the community, as well as his experience in the private sector, gives him a unique perspective as we tackle some challenging budget issues in the year ahead.”

Bedrossian, 58, owns Bedrock Earthscapes LLC in Wheaton. He serves as a board member of the Evangelical Child and Family Agency in Wheaton and has been both a foster and adoptive parent since 1987. He is a past board member of the DuPage Federation for Human Services and has volunteered for a variety of community service organizations.

“I think I have something to offer to the county,” Bedrossian said Friday. “I appreciate the direction that’s been taken by the chairman and the board. I obviously need to learn what some of the pressing current issues are and get up to speed on those things as quickly as possible.”

Bedrossian bested 10 other people who applied for the District 4 vacancy, which was created when Olson resigned in December to become executive director of the DuPage Homeownership Center.

Because Olson announced her departure on the last day to submit nominating petitions, other Republicans didn’t have enough time to enter the District 4 race and create a contested GOP primary.

As a result, Amy Grant of Wheaton and incumbents Grant Eckhoff and JR McBride will face two Wheaton Democrats, Dan Bailey and Charles Ditchman, in November’s general election.

At that time, three seats will be up for grabs in District 4, which includes all or parts of Addison, Bloomingdale, Carol Stream, Glen Ellyn, Glendale Heights, Lisle, Lombard, Wheaton and Winfield.