Cronin wins second term as DuPage County Board chairman

Dan Cronin secured a second term as DuPage County Board chairman by defeating Democratic challenger Robert Peickert.

With all 756 precincts reporting Tuesday, Cronin received nearly 65 percent of the unofficial vote totals. Cronin had 166,855 votes while Peickert had 90,324 votes.

Cronin said he's "thrilled and honored" that voters expressed their support and confidence in what he's doing at the county. He added that he's looking forward to getting back to work.

"I'm excited," Cronin said. "I love my job."

The former state senator from Elmhurst ran unopposed during the Republican primary. Initially, no Democrats came forward to challenge him.

But months after the primary, Democratic leaders picked Peickert to run for county board chairman. The Elmhurst resident is the chairman of the DuPage Democratic Party.

Peickert and Cronin differed most when it came to how DuPage could raise extra money for infrastructure improvements that would alleviate flooding.

Right now, the county's stormwater projects are funded through property taxes. Peickert said DuPage might need to consider increasing the property tax levy.

Cronin said he opposes a property tax increase.

The candidates also disagreed on a possible alternative.

Last year, state lawmakers gave DuPage the authority to charge a stormwater utility fee. So far, no decision has been made on whether the county will impose the fee.

If adopted, it would charge property owners based on use. Those who have more stormwater leaving their land would pay a higher fee. Anyone with land producing less runoff would pay a lower fee.

Cronin stressed he's not pursuing a utility fee. Still, he said, the issue is worth discussing.

During his first term, Cronin unveiled his ACT (Accountability, Consolidation and Transparency) Initiative.

He said he will continue efforts to reform and consolidate local government while meeting the challenges facing DuPage. "It (the election) is a strong signal to me that people like what we're doing." he said. "They support it, and they want us to continue it."