Christopher J. Zaruba: Candidate profile

Bio

Name: Christopher J. Zaruba

City: Wheaton

Website: chrisfordupage.com

Twitter: N/A

Facebook: @Zaruba4DuPage

Party: Republican

Office sought: DuPage County Board, District 4

Age: 34

Family: Married to Mandy; John and Mary, parents; Shannon and Patrick, siblings

Occupation: Family law attorney in Wheaton

Education: The John Marshall Law School, Chicago, Juris Doctor, May 2009; CALI Excellence for the Future Award Recipient; University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign; Bachelor of Arts and Sciences in Political Science, May 2006; Wheaton Warrenville South High School Graduate, 2002

Civic involvement: Milton Township Republican Committeeman; DuPage County Young Republicans member; former Wheaton Park District baseball coach; former member of the Robert E. Jones Inns of Court; member of the DuPage Association of Women Lawyers; former Chairman of the DuPage County Bar Association - New Lawyers Committee; member of Friends of Pioneer Cemeteries; parishioner at St. Petronille Church in Glen Ellyn

Elected offices held: Milton Township Republican Committeeman

Questions & Answers

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

I was born, raised, educated, and have been employed throughout my life in District 4. As a former felony prosecutor at the DuPage County State's Attorney's Office, my dedication to my community has never wavered. As a DuPage County Board member I will fight to protect and promote the high quality of life of the residents of my district. With families and businesses continuing to flee the state of Illinois, DuPage County remains a great place to live due to our fantastic educational opportunities and our safe communities. I was born into a family that has always emphasized public service and I will continue that focus while on the county board by promoting public safety and government efficiency.

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.

First, I would contribute to the board by assisting my fellow board members in keeping the focus on our citizens. It's easy to get lost in politics and policy but I want to ensure the board is responding to the needs of who we represent. I would make it a priority to foster better communication between citizens as well as our local businesses, as the success of our local economy will result in an increase in sales revenue, alleviating additional property tax increases that we in Illinois are unfortunately too familiar with.

I would also contribute to the board through my professional background and experience. As a former prosecutor I have worked intimately with the State's Attorney's Office, Public Defender's Office, Probation Department, Courthouse, Circuit Clerk's Office and Sheriff's Office. I was a clerk with the Recorder's Office. Having worked and seen the daily functioning of these departments, I have the unique ability to take a proposal or a concept submitted to the board for consideration and conceptualize how it will affect the day-to-day services these departments provide.

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?

In an effort to expand transparency in our local government, as well as continue to promote safety for our police officers and residents, I believe it is important for our county to keep up with technology and initiate a body camera program for our law enforcement officers. Body cameras provide a clearer picture of the interactions between our officers or deputies with the public on a daily basis and provide an extra layer of safety for law enforcement, while providing an extra layer of transparency for the public. Use of law enforcement body cameras around the country have also led to a substantial decrease in time and resources devoted to investigating complaints and civil litigation, which would save the county money over time.

The initial cost of obtaining the body cameras can be funded by eliminating duplicative contracts that the county currently offers and through a matching grant that is provided by the Department of Justice. The largest cost of such a program is not the cameras themselves, but the storage and maintenance of the video footage captured. I would propose that the State's Attorney's Office maintain the servers to store footage for the departments throughout the county to protect chain-of-custody issues, as well as work with the various municipalities in our county through intergovernmental agreements to share the costs of the service. Such intergovernmental agreements would substantially reduce the cost to the county, as well as each individual municipality.

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?

Two initiatives that I would support would be the utilization and promotion of local vendors and services, as well as the expansion of shared services.

Currently, the DuPage County Board offers a substantial amount of no-bid contracts, without competitive bidding, putting the taxpayer at a disadvantage. I would work with the other members on the board to reduce the number of no-bid contracts awarded and promote the use of an online reverse auction bidding system. This system would allow our local businesses to compete with the national vendors on all of the contracts routinely offered by DuPage County. Not only would this system lead to a reduction in contract costs by increasing the number of competitive bidders, it will also increase sales revenue and promote DuPage County's local economy when a local vendor is awarded a contract. Another benefit to a reverse auction bidding system would be the continued increase in transparency at the county level, as the bidding, not just a final contract, could be made available to the public.

I would also promote a focus on shared services within the county. Within my first year on the County Board, I would conduct a review of all expenditures from all county offices and departments in an effort to maximize efficiency and identify unnecessary duplicative services or products that can be eliminated.

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 focus of the county board should always be on finding ways to create government efficiency to keep the county's tax rate low, while also maintaining the high quality of services the county provides.

The goals of the chairman's ACT Initiative, to reduce the size, scope, and cost of government, are principled ambitions that DuPage County residents support. While the ACT Initiative should be praised for eliminating the Fair and Expo Authority, a duplicative unit of government, and promoting shared services by eliminating the DuPage County Youth Detention Center, and most recently, consolidating the Election Commission, I do believe that the county can do a better job of shedding their own expenses.

Whether looking at township, municipal, or county level services, the board should always consider both the cost and quality of the services provided before considering consolidation. The decision-making process should also include the recommendations of the residents and the local governments affected.

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

Over the past year, issues relating to specific economic development and the concerns of local residents have arisen in Wheaton, Glen Ellyn, and Lombard. The DuPage County Board needs to do a better job of listening, understanding, and addressing the concerns of the residents in District 4, as well as working with the various county level and local governments. As a DuPage County Board member I will make myself available to our residents, promote intergovernmental cooperation, and strive to ensure a balance between economic development and the realistic concerns voiced by the families in my district such as crime, health services, and transportation issues.

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

Other than my father, former Attorney General, Jim Ryan, and former DuPage County State's Attorney, Joe Birkett, have inspired me with their professionalism, honesty, and leadership.

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

The biggest lessons I learned were to treat others with respect and to listen to all opinions and positions on any given issue before making an important decision.

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

I would spend more time with lost loved ones, particularly my grandparents, and listen to the advice they have to offer.

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

I always enjoyed my English and Literature courses. Both courses contributed to my love of reading and helped me become a better communicator.

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

I would offer them the same advice that I received from my parents. Be kind, respectful, and compassionate. You never know what someone else may be going through.