Coming down the home stretch of the DuPage County primary campaigns, the candidates are focused on three things: Money, money and money.

Three Republicans are seeking the right to run against Democrat Karol Sole in the November election for the county board seat, which is open after incumbent Kyle Gilgis resigned from her seat last year. The primaries for both parties are Feb. 2.

The three candidates are Brian Krajewski of Downers Grove, an attorney and the former mayor of Downers Grove, Dennis Brennan of Hinsdale, an attorney who is president of the Hinsdale High School District 86 and a former member of the DuPage County Board of Health; and Greg Abbott of Woodridge, an attorney and a former Assistant Illinois Attorney General.

District 3 covers Burr Ridge, Clarendon Hills, Darien, Downers Grove, Hinsdale, Westmont, Willowbrook and Woodridge.

The candidates are stressing the economy, job creation and the budget as the issues that are of the highest concernand each trying to convince voters that they are the one who can deliver.

Brennan said low taxes and restrained government spending are most important to him.

The biggest problems Ive heard talking to people have been monetary issues, taxes and the budget, Brennan said. Most people do realize they have a good quality of life. I think most people are satisfied with the county but say, Dont ruin it by taxing us too much.

Ive already taken a pledge that Im not going to support any raise in taxes, he added.

He said tax control is key to attract new businesses, as well as marketing a well-educated workforce to prospective business owners and trumpeting the public safety in the county.

Krajewski said job creation is the most important, as it will help residents and it will drive county revenue.

As mayor (of Downers Grove,) we were able to create thousands of jobs, he said. There are two ways to do it; keep taxes low and make it easy to open businesses in the county.

He said he has experience attracting new businessthe Frys Electionics that opened in 2002 in Downers Grove was one example, he said. Krajewski said he would also try to attract more businesses from neighboring Cook County.

Its a perfect opportunity, he said. They will say, Hey, there is a high sales tax here, lets go to DuPage. That will help grow tax revenue.

Phone messages left at Abbotts campaign office seeking an interview were not returned.

Besides economic issues, which have been the top issues for most candidates in every district, a hot topic coming up at voter forums is whether or not the county should reduce the size of its board to save more money.

Krajewski said he believes the current system is working, but said the board should explore other ways they can be more responsive to the residents.

I believe we should explore the pros and cons of creating smaller county board districts, he said. Smaller districts will allow the board members to interact more with the residents of the district. For example, looking at 12 smaller districts with one member per district.

Krajewski said there is not enough communication between the board members and the residents they serve.

I think they can feel neglected because they have no one to talk to, he said. If they have a complaint, they feel there is nowhere they can go.

Brennan said he did not want to decrease the number of board members, but said he would like to see 18 smaller, one-member districts instead of the current layout, with six large districts with three representatives each.

That way you reduce influence, he said. Also, if you make campaigning less expensive, it stands to reason there would be less influence (as well.)

He also agreed that there is a disconnect between the residents and their board members, and said smaller districts would cause better representation and communication.

Residents have three of them, and most people dont know who they are, Brennan said.

Brennan said he would open an office to have a physical space to meet with residents, but stopped short of saying that it should be requirement.

But theres no reason why you cant have a small office you pay for yourself, he said.

By Jim Jaworski
Triblocal.com reporter