Steve Nero: Candidate profile

Bio

Name: Steve Nero

City: Westmont

Website: nerofordupage.com

Twitter: @Nerofordupage

Facebook: Nero for DuPage County Board - District 2

Party: Republican

Office sought: DuPage County Board Member - District 2

Age: 33

Family: Married

Occupation: Director of Business Development, SAFEbuilt

Education: Willowbrook High School, 2003; Elmhurst College, B.S. Business Administration & Political Science, 2007; Illinois Institute of Technology, M.S. Public Administration, 2010

Civic involvement: Chair of Westmont Public Works Committee; Co-Chair of Westmont Public Safety Committee; Former Chair of Westmont Stormwater Committee; Former Chair of Westmont Public Safety Committee; Former Co-Chair of Westmont Administration and Finance Committee; DuPage County River Sweep Volunteer/ Coordinator (7 Years); Westmont Park District Volunteer; Westmont Special Events Volunteer; Westmont Knights of Columbus Member; Villa Park VFW Supporter; Walk for Water Supporter (Non-Profit)

2017 Shaw Media's Everyday Hero Award Recipient

Elected offices held: Westmont Village Trustee (2011 - Present, Term ends 2019); York Township Precinct Committeeman; Former Downers Grove Precinct Committeeman

Questions & Answers

1. Why are you running for this office? Is there a particular issue that motivates you?

Since 2007, I have been giving back and helping improve Westmont. I want to continue serving by bringing my public service and business experience to the county board budgeting process. In my tenure

as Westmont Village Trustee, I have consistently focused on consolidation, intergovernmental agreements and sharing resources between governmental bodies. I even led the charge to eliminate pensions for Village Trustees. I will not be taking a pension on the county board nor the health care as this is a part-time position. This ties directly to the most important issue in this race, respecting the tax payer. I do it for Westmont and will continue to protect the tax payer on the county board. Once we prioritize this, the other important issues follow suit; public safety, stormwater and economic development.

2. If you are an incumbent, describe two important initiatives you've led. If you're not an incumbent, describe two ways you would contribute to the board.

---Real property tax relief by formalizing a long term strategic plan ensuring the county remains a leader in increasing collaboration. The better sharing of resources will decrease the county's share of the property tax and also help others reduce theirs.

---Bringing real innovative solutions proven in Westmont and across the country to reduce expenditures.

3. Is there a specific service or amenity that is lacking in the county? If so, how do you propose to provide and fund it?

The county needs a sustainable infrastructure program that educates and informs the entire county of construction methods, available grants and benefits of doing such projects. If communities understand the value and start making sustainable projects a priority, we will not only improve infrastructure but also the environment. In Westmont, we have been successful with pervious concrete & pavers, extensive maintenance projects and more. I will bring the same dedication to the county board.

4. With DuPage County's budget being squeezed by state funding cuts and other factors, what initiatives would you support to increase revenue and/or save money?

---Ensure the county has a business-friendly development process. I do it professionally with communities and counties across the country and have proved it in Westmont for the past seven and a half years. We were successful in bringing in thousands of local jobs, revamping blight areas and increasing revenues from the following projects:

A. Mariano's on 63rd Street

B. Standard Market on Ogden Avenue

C. Numerous high-end automobile dealership expansions (including a new Tesla dealer)

D. 63rd & Cass Avenue major redevelopment project

E. Quincy Station development

---Continue to consolidate services and layers of government while not sacrificing service levels.

---Enact a county wide purchasing program that actually engages all governmental bodies. This will

promote the sharing of resources & increase purchasing power. All resulting in less expenses for the

county and the rest of the entities who partner. Although this happens, it needs to be expanded and a

formalized program should be in place.

5. The county has been focused on consolidation of services and government agencies. How effective has that effort been and how could it be improved?

The county has been effective so far but must do better. We need to make sure DuPage County continues to lead the charge in consolidation. Here's a few things the county can do to continue improving:

---Increase local government engagement by educating local government leaders on consolidation and ways to share resources

---Broker partnerships among governmental entities

---Develop measurable criteria, including quantifying the tax savings for each initiative

6. What is the single most important issue facing your district and how should the county address it?

-Flooding. District 2 needs a representative with actual experience in solving stormwater issues. After the 2013 floods, I asked the Westmont Mayor to let me chair the newly created Stormwater Committee. We comprised a team of residents and community leaders and got to work. We prioritized projects based on specific criteria and recommended a dedicated revenue stream. The county offered little help and our village needed over $30M in improvements. After a successful referendum, Westmont went to work solving multiple stormwater issues and continues to operate a very impactful program. Finally, helping residents and repairing neglected infrastructure.

7. Please name one current leader who most inspires you.

My mother. She was a role model while having to provide at the same time. She pushed my education and community involvement. She did not just do with her words, but with examples. Today, she is my strongest supporter and canvasser. She encourages me to succeed and always has.

8. What is the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?

The importance of family, friends & hard work.

9. If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?

Christmas Eve at my childhood home with my entire family including those no longer with us. Having our extended family all together always made it a memorable occasion. It is these types of memories, I will never forget and helped shape me to be the person I am today.

10. What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?

Public Finance during my master's program. It gave me the tools to understand and analyze local government budgets. This skill has allowed me to engage in seven line by line budget workshops for

Westmont. We consistently found areas to improve while not affecting service levels. Consolidating departments and services along with other innovative procurement strategies really allowed Westmont to do more with less. I plan to bring the same mentality to the county. It is time for a fresh set of eyes to dive in and find potential tax payer savings.

11. If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?

Spend as much time with family and friends as you can.