Campaign info

Position sought: DuPage County Board, District 6

Political party: Republican

Website: www.jimzay.com

E-mail address: jameszay@sbcglobal.net

Address: 1205 Brookstone Dr., Carol Stream, IL, 60188 

Facebook: Jim Zay for DuPage County Board

Twitter: @JimZay6

Campaign committee: Citizens to Elect Jim Zay

Personal info

Age: 45, July 20, 1967

Family: Wife, Katie Zay; Sons, Jimmy, 12, and Tyler, 8

Education: Elmhurst College, BA Political Science, BA History; Immaculate Conception High School

Occupation: Vice President & Purchasing Mgr. Service Stampings

Political Party: Republican

Previous Elected or Appointed Offices: DuPage County Board Member: 1999- present; DuPage Water Commission: Chairman; DuPage County Forest Preserve Commissioner: 1999-2002; Wayne Township Trustee:  1997-1999

Is there any additional experience you believe qualifies you for the position?

Having grown up in DuPage and raising my family here I care about our community and want not only my children but all children to have the same opportunities I had.  I have volunteered with DuPage Pads, Knight of Columbus, a youth coach, CCSD 93 Bullying Taskforce to be involved in my community.

Candidate Questions

What would your priorities be if elected to this office?

My number one issue is the economy.  Many people are having a difficult time finding jobs, paying the mortgage and basically living check to check.  I understand and have seen it all over the County.  Government cannot look to the people by raising taxes; the people cannot afford it. 

The County has done a good job of lowering its portion of your property taxes, but must continue to look to reduce its size and costs.  Everyone who is elected to an office should understand we all get out money from the same people and we have to reduce the burden upon them.  By looking at consolidation we might be able to provide then same serves, but cut out a layer of government that is not needed. 

We have to make sure that this is well thought out and not rushed so we don’t pass the responsibility on to Cities and Villages, thus making them spend more money and not saving any money in the long run.  We have to encourage businesses to come to or stay in DuPage County.  We have a great County with great schools, low crime and we have to sell this along with any incentives we can to bring business in and keep them here. 

What sets you apart from the other candidates?

Experience, it has been an honor and privilege to serve the people of District 6 on the DuPage County Board. For the last 12 years I have strived to provide the 6th District with strong, independent representation. The trust they have placed in me is a great honor and I look forward to being their voices on the important issues facing our families and communities. Having grown up in DuPage County and having a young family, the future of our County motivates me to do my best to continue to keep DuPage County the great place it is to raise a family and work. We have made strong decisions to make sure the County is in good finanical shape, unlike the State has.  Have made changes to like changing of benefits, reduced taxes and done more with less.

Official campaign name

Citizens to Elect Jim Zay

What can the county do to promote job growth and draw new business to DuPage County?

With the State making any business in the County a challenge, we have to promote the benefits of coming to DuPage County. We need to promote the low crime, great schools and the great workforce we have to offer them. We can offer some tax incentives to bring new business to the County.

What would you do to practice fiscal responsibility in DuPage?

Government cannot look to the people by raising taxes; the people cannot afford it.  The County has done a good job of lowering its portion of your property taxes 12 out of the last 13 years but must continue to look to reduce its size and costs. 

Everyone who is elected to an office should understand we all get out money from the same people and we have to reduce the burden upon them.  By looking at consolidation we might be able to provide then same serves, but cut out a layer of government that is not needed.  We have to make sure that this is well thought out and not rushed so we don’t pass the responsibility on to Cities and Villages, thus making them spend more money and not saving any money in the long run. 

What ides do you have for improving the county's infrastructure and transportation?

Flooding.  District 6 has had to endure majors flood events over the last 3 years.  In 2010, the County passed bonding to address the flooding on the west side of the County.  As Chairman of the County Stormwater Committee I worked hard to make the east side of the County understand that we had to spend money for the flooding issues in the western part of the County.  We have 3 major projects underway for a cost of 18 million dollars.  Carol Stream, by working together with the Park District and the Village the Armstrong Park reservoir is moving forward.  Part of Armstrong Park next to Klein Creek will be used to store stormwater and pump it out away from the homes. Bartlett, Beaver Pond Project, this area was devastated for weeks by high flooding. Again by working with the Village, Park District and the Forest Preserve we will help move the water out to a new reservoir on Forest Preserve Property away from the homes.  Warrenville; major flooding has taken place in downtown. The County and City will replace two bridges, re-align and deepen the West Branch of the DuPage River, add berms to protect the homes, business and a school.  We are also updating our study on Winfield Creek to see what can be done to help with the flooding issues in Winfield. 

Transportation, we continue to update our roads, with Gary Ave. project in Carol Stream to start work in 2013.  We continue to re-surface many of our roads, but we must pay for these projects as we go, since revenues are flat and bonding to do more projects would saddle us with more debt which is unwise to do at this time.

In what ways can the county operate more efficiently and improve technologically?

The County is spending the money to put in a new ERP computer system which will help streamline operations and in the long run reduce costs.  The County's system is old and needed to be updated and has cost too much money to maintain.  By bringing in a new system we will get fast and better reports cutting down on time staff spends preparing reports.  We will become more efficient with staff spending less time on paper work and more time working with our citizens.

Do you support a gaming bill that would increase the number of casinos or other gambling venues in Illinois? Should a casino be built in Chicago?

This is a State issue and would not support any casino's for Du Page County. The State should look at cutting spending and true pension reform before looking to gambling as a way to bring in more revenue which is being miss spent at the State level.

What do you suggest for property tax relief?

The County has cut its share of your property taxes 12 out of the last 13 years. The County's share of your property taxes is around 4% of your total tax bill. We have to continue to look to do things cheaper and more cost effective. By looking at consioldating some government agaencies and look to sharing services we can look to reduce costs and pass it on to the people.  Other agencies like schools, park districts have to not always raises your taxes every year the max they can, but look at reducing this burden on the tax payers.

Should the state consider consolidating school districts? What would be the best way to accomplish this in your legislative district?

This is a state issue and local school boards should at least look into the possibility if they can.

Should the state legalize marijuana?

No

Are there ways to reform the legislative scholarship program, or would you support calls to eliminate the program?

This is a state issue and does not effect the County.

Who are your political heroes and why?

I do not have any, the only heroes we have are our men and women in our armed forces who protect us everyday.  We should also look to our policeman and fireman who work everyday to protect us and our families.  We seem to forget how much all of these people do for us until we have an emergency somewhere and these brave people come to help us.

Have you ever been convicted of a felony, sued successfully or had a restraining order placed against you? If so, please explain.

No