Democratic incumbent faces two Republicans in DuPage County Board race

As the only Democrat on the DuPage County Board, Elizabeth "Liz" Chaplin says she's been "an independent voice" on the 18-member panel.

But Steve Nero, one of the two Republican opponents Chaplin will face Nov. 6, says you don't need to be a Democrat to be an independent board member.

"To me, the (party affiliation) doesn't mean anything," said Nero, who has served as a Westmont village trustee since 2011. "You have to treat everybody the same. And you have to be willing to stand up for what you think is right."

Chaplin, Nero and Republican incumbent Peter DiCianni are vying for two seats on the county board representing District 2, which includes portions of Addison, Clarendon Hills, Downers Grove, Elmhurst, Hinsdale, Lisle, Lombard, Naperville, Oak Brook, Oakbrook Terrace, Villa Park, Westmont and Woodridge.

During a recent endorsement session with the Daily Herald, Chaplin says she takes pride in being "an independent voice" on the county board.

"I'm the dissenter," said Chaplin, a Downers Grove resident who has served on the county board since 2012.

Chaplin said many of her dissenting votes were related to pay increases for elected officials, lobbying contracts and the budget. She also opposed hiring vendors who have made campaign contributions to county board members.

"I think it's important to have that independent voice on the board," she said.

While he's a Republican, Nero said he serves as a nonpartisan village trustee. That experience has taught him how to build consensus.

He says he also has his own mind.

"I have no problem challenging the norm," Nero said.

DiCianni, meanwhile, said the GOP-dominated county board has "a proven track record" of success. The dysfunction in Washington D.C. and Springfield doesn't exist at the county level, he said.

In addition to holding the line on property taxes, DiCianni said, DuPage has successfully pushed to consolidate several units of local government. The county sheriff's office also was the first police department in the state to carry EpiPens in squad cars.

"We've given residents better services," said DiCianni, a former Elmhurst mayor who has been a county board member since 2012. "We're providing infrastructure. We're providing protection."

DiCianni said he and the other GOP candidates running for county board have "a like-minded mission of good government at the least cost to our taxpayers."

But Chaplin says Republican-controlled boards have given themselves and countywide officials "outrageous salaries and benefits." She also blasted the county's Accountability, Consolidation and Transparency Initiative.

"That ACT Initiative is more about publicity and public relations than it is about saving money," said Chaplin, adding a Democratic-controlled county board would freeze its pay, stop using lobbyists and re-prioritize spending.

If elected to the county board, Nero said his priority will be "to respect the taxpayers."

"I want to make sure the county is running as efficiently as possible," Nero said.