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Danny B. Perez: 2022 candidate for Kane County Board District 3

Bio

Party: Democrat

City: Aurora

Age: 19

Occupation: Student

Previous offices held: Sole Student Board Member for School District 129, Precinct Committeeperson in the Aurora Democratic Party

Q&A

Q. Why are you running for this office, whether for reelection or election for the first time? Is there a particular issue that motivates you?

A. I'm running because I want to reinvigorate my community. To bring fresh new change and ideas that come with our younger generation. It has always been my passion to help and serve others, because that's what a leader needs: passion. To also make our county government more connected and closer to their community. I can say many issues motivate me, but I believe mental health takes first priority.

Q. If you are an incumbent, describe your main contributions. Tell us of any important initiatives you've led. If you are a challenger, what would you bring to the board and what would your priority be?

A. I would love to lead the effort in designating a sort of Youth Advisory Board compromised by all our young constituents across the county. To address the issues that they are facing and how they see what we can do to help them. In my district, I would tackle head on the lack of attention of mental health in my district. For many issues like: poverty, violence, substance abuse, and more stem from not being able to handle their mental health needs.

Q. Describe your position regarding the balance between county spending and revenues as it exists today, then describe the chief threats you see looming and how the county should deal with them.

A. Let me be basic, for a local government to avoid debt or falling into financial distress. You obviously have to have more revenue coming then what is being spent. Currently, that is the issue at hand that we are facing with a current 15 million dollar deficit. COVID only magnified the problem. This will threaten to force to start making not only small cuts, but major and painful ones. We need to make some cutbacks that we can afford to make. While also passing the proposed retail tax. To also properly using and directing money from the American Rescue Plan to help bolster our local economy and bolster our revenue.

Q. How do you rate the county government on transparency and the public's access to records? If it's adequate, explain why. If you think improvements are needed, delineate them. *

A. From my first hand experience, I county government is fairly transparent and our access to records are ease to access when requested. I believe that is attributed to our strong ethic policies that keeps us transparent. Which help us to foster trust in our constituency. We even have a whole page in the county website dedicated to transparency.

Q. What, if anything, should be done to improve automation and customer service in county offices? What steps should be taken to make that happen?

A. Obviously, we need to be open to feedback we receive. To be able to stay up to date technologically-digitally to be able to meet the demands of our busy county. Make sure our county employees are trained properly to deal with customer related issues. This will create confidence and satisfaction with our county.

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