Naperville council member Gustin seeking DuPage County Board seat

Naperville City Council member Patty Gustin is setting her sights on a higher level of government after announcing Tuesday she will seek a seat on the DuPage County Board.

Gustin, who was elected to the city council in 2015, plans to run as a Republican for a seat representing the county's District 5, which includes parts of Aurora, Lisle, Naperville and Warrenville.

Gustin's announcement comes days after District 5 county board member Tonia Khouri said she will not seek re-election but instead will pursue a seat in the state House representing the 49th District.

In a news release, Gustin said she wants to focus on maintaining the strength of the communities in District 5 by staying true to "the values that brought all of us to DuPage County."

"We must strive to lower taxes through economic growth, reduce government costs through smart efficiencies that sustain the government services we deserve, stay focused on important local issues and always deliver respectful representation," she said.

Before Gustin, 57, joined the city council, she served on the planning and zoning commission in Naperville and also on two separate zoning and planning boards in Lisle. She works as a Realtor and real estate broker and is a graduate of DePaul University. Gustin and her husband, Greg, have three adult children and two grandchildren.