DuPage considering whether to ask voters about reducing size of county board

DuPage County Board members want more information before asking voters to weigh in on a proposal to eliminate one-third of the board's seats.

Members are discussing the possibility of reducing the size of the county board from 18 to 12 members. If approved, the change would take effect by the 2022 election, when all board seats will be up because of redistricting after the 2020 Census.

This week, some board members suggested the panel take a vote in two weeks to put an advisory question on the November ballot. Others said they want more time to make that decision.

"I think we need a lot more preparation ... before we throw a question at our voters and ask them to figure it out," said board member Ashley Selmon, an Addison Democrat.

Board member Jim Healy, a Naperville Republican, said he would like to see an advisory referendum on the November ballot because it would give the board guidance. Right now, members are divided on whether the size of the board should be reduced.

Board member Mary FitzGerald Ozog says the panel should be reduced by six members because it would save more than $312,000 in annual salaries. Each board member is paid $52,102 annually and can receive health and dental insurance through the county.

"I think that this is something that we can put before our constituents - our voters - and have them decide if they are interested in doing this," the Glen Ellyn Democrat said.

But several board members are questioning whether districts would benefit from having two representatives - not three. They say eliminating board seats won't reduce the amount of work that must be done.

Board member Tim Elliott said he's open to the idea of reducing the size of the board. However, he said there's been no analysis of the proposal.

"I don't want to present anything to the voters for an up or down (vote) until we are convinced it's a good idea," the Glen Ellyn Republican said. "We don't even have the first glimmer of whether this is a good idea or not."

The county board has until mid-August to vote to put a question on the November ballot. In the meantime, board member Don Puchalski said he doesn't want to make a rushed decision.

"We should have more dialogue and more information," the Addison Republican said.