DuPage County Board Dist. 6 hopefuls differ on need for lobbyists

Democrats in one county board race argue that DuPage shouldn't need lobbying firms to push its legislative agenda in Springfield and Washington.

But their Republican opponents say lobbyists are key to what the county is trying to accomplish.

On Nov. 6, voters in DuPage County Board District 6 will choose from among Republican incumbents Jim Zay and Kevin Wiley and Democratic newcomers Erica Green and Sheila Rutledge.

The two top vote-getters will fill two seats on the 18-member county board representing a district that covers all or parts of Aurora, Bartlett, Bloomingdale, Carol Stream, Glendale Heights, Hanover Park, Naperville, Roselle, St. Charles, Warrenville, Wayne, West Chicago, Wheaton and Winfield.

Since the primary, Rutledge has said it's unnecessary for DuPage to spend money on lobbyists.

In August, the county board spent $260,000 to retain three lobbying firms for another year. Elizabeth Chaplin, the board's lone Democrat, cast the only vote against the contracts.

Like Chaplin, Rutledge argues that county board members should be the ones doing the lobbying.

"I would like to see county board members take on the advocacy for our county at the state and federal levels," said Rutledge, a photographer and sales professional from Warrenville. Then, she added, the county "could stop paying such large amounts to lobbying firms that are politically connected to our board members and chairman."

If elected, Green said she would look into eliminating all contracts for lobbyists.

The psychotherapist and drug counselor from Carol Stream says there are other collar counties that don't have any lobbyists.

"If we can look at how to use the board more efficiently, perhaps we can save money on the lobbyists," Green said.

But Wiley, who has served on the county board since 2014, says DuPage needs lobbyists.

The West Chicago resident said some proposals, including the planned merger of the election commission and the county clerk's office, wouldn't happen if DuPage didn't have such help.

"If one-party rule is a problem, that's what we've got down in Springfield," said Wiley, a colonel in the U.S. Army and a program management consultant.

"We need somebody that has an active voice down there," Wiley said, "and can get support for the various items that we as a county board need to have done for DuPage County."

Zay, who has served on the county board since 1999, said DuPage has received "tens of millions of dollars" through the years from the federal government for flood control projects. He credited lobbyists for helping DuPage get that money.

The businessman from Carol Stream said it's incorrect to assume that DuPage automatically gets grant money from the federal government

"You have to go in there and sell yourself," Zay said, "and your lobbyists are there to help you."

Zay said county board members regularly call lawmakers and take trips to Washington and Springfield. But it's good to have lobbyists in place, especially when it comes to stopping legislation DuPage opposes.

"On the state side, it's not just about getting money," Zay said. "It's also about playing defense down there. There are others who are putting in legislation that would hurt the county. That's when we have to play defense."