Kari Galassi: 2022 candidate for DuPage County Board District 3

Bio

Party: Republican

Office sought: DuPage County Board District 3

City: Hinsdale

Age: 50

Occupation: Mom

Previous offices held: N/A

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: Under good leadership, the county has very wisely passed balanced budgets year after year with surpluses to be used on projects that need attention. I plan on continuing the trend and lowering the tax rate whenever possible, and of course, funding our State's Attorney's Office and Sheriff's Office, especially in light of the number of regulations, mandates, and expenses that the SAFE-T Act imposes.

The biggest threat I see is housing prices continuing to drive up property taxes, even without an increase to the tax rate. We need to be mindful that a tax rate decrease isn't always a meaningful one to our taxpayers.

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: As an auditor at Arthur Andersen, we were constantly looing for ways we could improve our clients efficiencies through technology. I believe we need to continue to seek out ways to make DuPage County a digitalized government. Digital governments improve conveniences for its constituents, save tax dollars and improve transparency.

One example of an initiative I would like to initiate is allowing tax payers to accomplish more tasks online. This would eliminate the need to interact with a county employee. I would leverage natural attrition as a budgeting tool to pay for new technology initiatives.

Q: Should the county board continue to start its regular board meetings with an invocation? Please say why or why not.

A: A couple of years ago the board voted overwhelmingly to keep the time of prayer and reflection before meetings. No matter what the topic of the day is, whether tame or contentious, that moment of reflection gives the board a chance to find common ground, to level with one another and remind members what they are there to do - serve the people of DuPage, not themselves.

It is also a tradition followed in both Washington, D.C. and Springfield and as a person of faith, I believe valuable to continue in DuPage County.

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: Absolutely, I would love to see more members working together toward lower taxes, safer communities and good governance overall, but if there is an issue that comes up that does not serve the citizens of DuPage, I'm not afraid to stand my ground and boldly make my case. I am grateful for mentors like Greg Hart who have paved the way for moving bipartisan initiatives forward, and I plan to follow suit.

Q: If your political party has control of the county board after the November election, how would that benefit DuPage residents?

A: I know most of the candidates on the Republican ticket, and I do believe that they, like myself, are dedicated to service with a taxpayer-forward focus.

I know they have a safety first mindset and fully support our law enforcement and State's Attorney Bob Berlin. I was disappointed to learn the discussion to pass a resolution to veto the SAFE-T act was tabled indefinitely by the current board majority of Democrats.

I am confident such a resolution would pass with a Republican majority. I've been deeply involved in the community for a long time, particularly in health care and in our schools, seeking out the best ways to benefit our citizens. I have a passion for seeing our county succeed, and I will see it through no matter what the board makeup is.

Q: The COVID pandemic put a spotlight on the need for mental health services. What role should the county play in this?

A: I am all for turning our focus to mental health in our community. In fact, I think it goes hand-in-hand with our efforts on the HOPE Task Force.

I would love for the county to partner with organizations in DuPage who are already doing the good work addressing this mental health crisis to implement programs that can meet people where they are.

I believe this is desperately needed in our schools, as well. Our children suffered greatly during the lockdowns and we need to ensure schools are providing the proper resources to support our children.

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

A: Crime is without a doubt becoming a reality in our county. We used to watch what was happening in Chicago and we were grateful to live in a place where our families were safe. But crime is overflowing out of Cook County and into ours. I will do everything I can to support law enforcement and keep crime out of our communities.