Greg Abbott: 2022 candidate for DuPage County Board District 3
Bio
Party: Republican
Office sought: DuPage County Board District 3
City: Woodridge
Age: 59
Occupation: Attorney
Previous offices held: Woodridge Village Trustee since 2011
Q&A
Q: Describe your position regarding the balance between county spending and revenues as it exists today, then describe the chief threats you see looming in the future and how the county should deal with them.
A: Inflation is hurting families throughout District 3. The Board needs to make sure that we are controlling spending and not raising taxes. Labor rules set in Springfield make rising costs inevitable. Therefore, it is critical that we create an organizational culture of keeping costs down and constantly looking for efficiencies.
Q: Is there a specific service or amenity that is lacking in the county? If so, how do you propose to provide and fund it?
A: No.
Q: Should the county board continue to start its regular board meetings with an invocation? Please say why or why not.
A: I believe it should. I think it is a good way to celebrate our religious diversity, which many of our residents find important to their lives.
Q: Does there need to be more bipartisanship and cooperation on the county board? If yes, what would you do to help make that happen?
A: Of course. All board members need to realize we are there to do the people's business and need to work together to solve issues and problems. This can be accomplished by treating everyone with respect, finding areas of common ground and being willing to compromise to get things done for the benefit of the taxpayers. We need to make sure we don't bring Washington or Springfield petty partisanship to the board. During my tenure on the Woodridge Village Board, we have has put residents over politics and I would hope to do the same on the county board.
Q: If your political party has control of the county board after the November election, how would that benefit DuPage residents?
A: Republicans are committed to fully funding law enforcement and keeping our neighborhoods safe. DuPage residents will benefit because their families will be safer because the laws will be enforced. Also, we are committed to keeping spending down and taxes as low as possible, helping those struggling to cope with high gas prices and record breaking levels of inflation.
Q: The COVID pandemic put a spotlight on the need for mental health services. What role should the county play in this?
A: In Illinois, state government has the primary duty to provide mental health services but, unfortunately, does a poor job of funding them. Where we can do so in a fiscally responsible manner, we need to find ways to provide much needed services. We need to work on helping people get preventative care. We need to work collaboratively with not-for-profits and other organizations to prevent duplication of effort and get more care to those who need it.
Q: What is the single most important issue facing your district and how should the county address it?
A: Violent crime from Cook County has made its way into DuPage and made our families less safe. The county needs to make sure we provide the funds and support necessary for the sheriff and state's attorney to do their job of protecting us. Record inflation is killing our residents and we need to be more vigilant than ever to make sure every penny being spent is necessary and take as few tax dollars as necessary, and allowing residents to keep more money in their pockets.