DuPage County races worth watching Tuesday

For dozens of DuPage County candidates, Tuesday's primary will mark the beginning of their campaign for the November election.

For others, it will mark the end.

Republican and Democratic voters on Tuesday will choose which candidates will represent their parties on the fall ballot for a variety of elected offices, including sheriff and county board. They'll also be asked to weigh in on several referendum questions.

Here's a look at some of the hottest DuPage races:

Sheriff

Sheriff John Zaruba looms over the Republican primary, even though he isn't a candidate for the first time in more than two decades.

Two supervisors with his office - Undersheriff Frank Bibbiano and patrol Cmdr. James Mendrick - are seeking the GOP nomination to replace Zaruba, who is retiring at the end of the year.

The winner will face Democrat Gregory Whalen in the fall.

When Mendrick announced his intention to run three years ago, he had Zaruba's support. But then the 21-year veteran had a falling out with his boss.

Now Zaruba is endorsing Bibbiano. Mendrick, meanwhile, has the backing of county board Chairman Dan Cronin.

Mendrick, who lives in Woodridge, has 16 years of supervisory experience, including a stint as chief of the administrative bureau. Bibbiano, of Elmhurst, has held several positions during his 18 years with the office, including patrol deputy, detective commander and lead internal affairs investigator.

During the campaign, both said they would work more closely with the county board, which allocates funding for the department. They also said opioids are a huge problem and the sheriff's office must lead efforts to address it.

42nd House

Republican candidate Burt Minor found himself on the defensive last month after being accused of using a homosexual slur and a racial epithet during an October meeting with GOP attorney general candidate Erika Harold.

But the 58-year-old Warrenville resident, who said his remarks were misrepresented, never abandoned his bid to become the nominee for the 42nd state House seat.

Now Republican voters will decide if they want Minor, DuPage County Board member Amy Grant of Wheaton or political newcomer Ryan Byrne of Wheaton to move on to the November election. The winner will face Democrat Kathleen Carrier.

Minor, a retired lieutenant colonel with the Air Force, is a former Warrenville alderman. Grant, 62, has served on the county board since 2012. Byrne, 29, has a degree in mechanical engineering and works as a director of marketing.

The district takes in parts of Wheaton, Warrenville, Carol Stream, Lisle, Winfield, West Chicago and Naperville.

County District 2

The only Democrat on the 18-member county board - Elizabeth Chaplin of Downers Grove - hopes to retain her District 2 county board seat in a three-way race for two openings.

The other Democratic candidates are Arlene Kendorski of Downers Grove and Claire Goldenberg of Lisle.

The top two finishers will face Republicans Peter DeCianni and Steve Nero, who are unopposed in their primary.

District 2 includes all or portions of Addison, Clarendon Hills, Downers Grove, Elmhurst, Hinsdale, Lisle, Lombard, Naperville, Oak Brook, Oakbrook Terrace, Villa Park, Westmont and Woodridge.

Chaplin works in accounts payable and has served on the board since 2012. Kendorski is a retired teacher. Goldenberg works in merger and acquisition sales.

County District 4

In DuPage's most crowded race, six candidates are seeking the Republican nomination for two District 4 seats on the county board.

The candidates are incumbent Grant Eckhoff and newcomers Paula McGowen, Ron Almiron, Christopher Zaruba, Elizabeth Tatro and Craig Chinchilla. The top two vote-getters advance.

Democrats will pick their two candidates for District 4 from among Trevor J. Orsinger of Wheaton, Hadiya Afzal of Glen Ellyn and Mary FitzGerald Ozog of Glen Ellyn.

During the campaign, all six Republicans said they want county property taxes to remain flat.

Zaruba and Eckhoff want to pursue more ways to save the county money. Chinchilla said he would use his skills as a business owner to improve efficiencies. Tatro said DuPage needs innovative ways to attract businesses.

Almiron and McGowen said they want to address the rising death toll from heroin overdoses.

District 4 includes all or parts of Addison, Bloomingdale, Carol Stream, Glen Ellyn, Glendale Heights, Lisle, Lombard, Wheaton and Winfield.

Bloomingdale fire

The Bloomingdale Fire Protection District is asking voters to approve a property tax hike so it can borrow $4.5 million to repair fire stations and replace aging vehicles and equipment.

If approved, the district would repay the loan over 10 years, during which roughly $3.17 million would be spent on ambulances, engines and other vehicles. The rest would be set aside for building repairs and equipment purchases.

None of the money would be spent on personnel, hiring, salaries or pension costs.

Homeowners are expected to see a drop in their tax bills this year because the district paid off construction-related debt in 2017.

If voters approve the measure, the taxes they pay to the district will go back up in 2019. The increase would cost the owner of a $300,000 house about $38 more a year.

The district provides fire, medical and emergency services to 35,000 residents in six towns and some unincorporated areas.