Tuesday, May 7, 2013
DuPage County Chairman Dan Cronin writes about how Senate Bill 494 would allow county leaders to eliminate "wasteful and redundant" layers of government.
May 6, 2013 Dear Editor, Illinois’ 7,000 units of government have created multiple layers of inefficiency that place an unnecessary financial burden on taxpayers. In an effort to reduce the size, scope and cost of local government, I have initiated legislation in Springfield that would provide DuPage County with new tools to achieve incremental reform. Senate Bill 494 would allow county leaders to make the tough choices necessary to eliminate wasteful and redundant layers of government when it has been determined to be in the best interest of taxpayers. A recent assessment of county-appointed agencies revealed many opportunities for shared services, consolidation and in some cases dissolution. These 24 agencies account for nearly $300 …
Thursday, March 21, 2013
Group of nine Illinois senators join DuPage County Caucus with focus on giving county board ability to consolidate small areas of government.
Illinois Sen. Tom Cullerton (D-Villa Park) has co-sponsored a bill that would give the DuPage County Board authority to dissolve smaller units of government such as the county airport authority, county fair and exposition authority and sanitation districts. Cullerton's bill is the first goal of the newly formed DuPage County Caucus, a group of nine Illinois state senators focused on promoting the interests of DuPage County, according to a news release from Sen. Don Harmon (D-Oak Park). “DuPage County is a unique part of the state,” Harmon, founder and co-chair of the DuPage County Caucus said in a statement Thursday. “Many of its communities have similar concerns and expect similar things from state government. I thought it was important …
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
Forest District commissioners must fight to keep DuPage Forest District separate from the County Board or risk huge step backwards to 1988.
- OPINION
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Wednesday, March 13
I am reading about this Deb Conroy (D-46th Elmhurst) legislation to eliminate the DuPage County Forest Preserve District commissioners' pay and the bill to move over their responsibilities to the DuPage County Board members. This does seem like a huge step backwards in time, to 23 years ago. In 1988, the County Board commissioners and committees eagerly thought that an incinerator on Forest Preserve district property would solve their revenue problems. I became a Board Member of CHASE, the citizens group that fought this county plan, and then the "Landfill Beyond our Lifetime" plan. The idea 21 years ago then was to fully separate the County Board from the interests of the Forest Preserve District lands so that the county could not make …
Monday, February 25, 2013
Reboletti wants to disband the Forest Commission, Conroy wants to get rid of commissioners' pay.
- GOVERNMENT
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Monday, February 25
By Karen Chadra, Elmhurst Patch State Rep. Dennis Reboletti (R-45th) of Elmhurst last week sponsored HB 2481, which would dissolve the DuPage County Forest Preserve District Board and transfer the responsibilities of the Forest District to the DuPage County Board in 2016. In response late Friday, the DuPage Legislative Committee scheduled a special meeting for Tuesday, Feb. 26, to discuss the bill. "Before legislation of this magnitude is voted on in Springfield, I think it is important that all sides of the issue are explored," said Legislative Committee Chairman JR McBride in a prepared statement. "While I am open to the idea of a study to analyze a possible merger, I do not believe this bill has any merit until due diligence has been …
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
DuPage County Board approves budget for fiscal year 2013 that is $7.3 million less than the previous year. The budget includes cutting seven staff positions and $16.9 million in appropriations for campus and county-wide improvements.
The DuPage County Board Tuesday approved a Fiscal Year 2013 budget that is $7.3 million less than the previous year, according to a press release from DuPage County. DuPage County Board Chairman Dan Cronin said in a statement the $432.6 million budget represents his commitment to reduce the financial burden of government on taxpayers. Since taking office, Cronin has reduced the County’s budget by more than $13 million, according to the release. “It is important that we demonstrate to taxpayers that government can make the sacrifices necessary to meet the bottom line. The Fiscal Year 2013 budget is a testament to that pledge," Cronin said. Finance Chairman Paul Fichtner said this is the fifth consecutive year that the County has not raised…
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
DuPage County voters elected eight newcomers to the county board, along with the the first Democratic forest preserve commissioner in a decade.
DuPage County voters rejected a proposition Tuesday that asked whether elected officials should be able to hold more than one office at a time. With all 748 precincts reporting, unofficial results show that a resounding 90 percent (332,657) of DuPage County voters rejected the proposal. Only 36,571 voted "yes." The question was placed on the general election ballot after Elmhurst Mayor Peter DiCianni and Burr Ridge Mayor Gary Grasso announced their plans to run for DuPage County Board seats in Districts 2 and 3, respectively. Both DiCianni and Grasso were declared winners Tuesday. DiCianni plans to resign his current position to serve the county board. Grasso has said he wants to hold both offices. Winner: Chris Kachiroubas (R) Republican …
Thursday, November 1, 2012
Wheaton resident writes in support of Dan Bailey for DuPage County Board in District 4. To send a letter to the editor, email Charlotte@patch.com
- OPINION
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Thursday, November 1, 2012
Wheaton Patch accepts and publishes letters to the editor emailed to Local Editor Charlotte Eriksen at Charlotte@patch.com, or sent as a message through the Wheaton Patch Facebook page. Please note in subject lines the message is a Letter to the Editor. ------------ A man of and for the people, candidate Dan Bailey deserves to serve District 4 constituents on the DuPage County Board. A registered nurse, former railroad engineer, and dedicated activist, Bailey will work conscientiously to rein in excessive spending (including out-size compensation of County Board members for part-time work); increase governmental efficiency, openness, and accountability; eliminate insider contract deals; diversify and improve transportation options; protect…
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
DuPage County Board Chairman Dan Cronin names Gerald Cassioppi of Naperville to serve as chairman of the Ethics Commission.
The DuPage County Board recently appointed Gerald Cassioppi of Naperville to serve as chairman of the Ethics Commission. Chairman Dan Cronin, who has worked to make the Ethics Commission a more visible institution through his DuPage ACT Initiative (Accountability, Consolidation and Transparency), said Cassioppi will provide the leadership necessary to serve on the Commission. “As we continue our efforts to make DuPage County a model of accountable and transparent government in Illinois, it is essential that we strengthen and enhance the ethics complaint process,” said Cronin. “I am confident in Gerald’s ability to serve as chairman of the Ethics Commission. His background as an attorney and certified public accountant for a variety of …
Saturday, October 27, 2012
Roundup of candidate endorsements in local media before the 2012 General Election.
Peter Roskam (R) over Leslie Coolidge (D) The Chicago Tribune wrote in the last couple years, Roskam has become "one of the more influential Republicans in Illinois and on Capitol Hill," with a focus on fundamental economic issues and the stature he developed as a member of the Ways and Means Committee and chief deputy whip. The Daily Herald wrote Roskam has established himself as a "leader with influence," and is a player in "how Washington fixes economic challenges facing the country." The Chicago Tribune endorsed incumbent Kirk Dillard (R). Jeanne Ives over William Adams The Chicago Tribune wrote Ives is a "no-nonsense" member of the Wheaton City Council, and is eager to cast unpopular votes. "The best thing the party can do for her is …
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
The Wheaton and Glen Ellyn Leagues of Women Voters with the Wheaton Chamber of Commerce host the fall 2012 candidate forum, with candidates for the 21st and 24th Senate districts, 42nd State Representative District, DuPage County Board and Forest Preserve
The Wheaton and Glen Ellyn Leagues of Women Voters and the Wheaton Chamber of Commerce tonight will host the fall 2012 candidate forum, with candidates from the 24th, 21st and 42nd state representative districts and the 4th and 6th districts of DuPage County and of the DuPage County Forest Preserve. Opposed candidates will have an opportunity to give an opening and closing statement, and answer each of four questions from the audience. State Senate, 24th District (More information: Race page) State Senate, 21st District (More information: Race page) 42nd State Representative District (More information: Race page) DuPage County, District 4 (More information: Race page) DuPage County, District 6 (More information: Race page) Forest Preserve…
Mike G.
1:48 pm on Tuesday, May 7, 2013
Chairman Cronin Does this bill allow for the elimination of township goverment? If not, I would like to know if it is possible eliminate this needless level of government. In Milton, we have a Highway Commissioner getting paid over a 100K with benefits to maintain a few miles of roads. How can we get rid of these parasites living off the tax payers? more ›