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Press Release
For Immediate Release
Elizabeth “Liz” Chaplin
Democratic Candidate for DuPage County Board, District 2
630-810-9588
bchaplin03@comcast.net

DuPage Board Democratic Candidate Question: After 5 Years and $4.5 million in Pay, Board Still Stymied by $45 million Deficit

 

The Answer: Less Is More; Less Board Members, More Savings


DuPage County Democratic Candidate for District 2, Liz Chaplin, today blasted the Dupage County Board for paying themselves more than $4.5 million in pay and benefits over five years, only to have an unsolved $45 million deficit, when the answer has always been so simple; less board members, less redundant manpower and smarter board members who want to save tax dollars, not build empires.

 

“I have grave concerns about the shortsighted oversight of the current DuPage County Board and the 45 million dollar deficit the saw coming,” said Chaplin. “Why would they wait until the last hour?  The County Board was well aware of this situation 5 years ago when they used the DuPage Water Commission funds to bail them out.  Five years is a long time to be aware of something and do nothing about it. Now, they are like deer in the headlights.”

 

Ms. Chaplin feels that the County should have been looking to find a permanent solution long ago.  Cutting services and raising taxes is not the an option for Chaplin.  If the county was creative, the DuPage County Board could find ways to cut back. Chaplin recommends reducing the number of members and reduce the salaries   of the County Board Members.

 

“I was taken aback by Mr. Healy's recently published quotes about reducing  the salaries  of County Board Members from almost 50 thousand dollars to 30 thousand dollars, ‘That would only save 400 thousand dollars,’ Chaplin added of County Board Member Healy. “No wonder the County Board is in the financial mess it’s in.  Obviously 400 thousand dollars is nothing to him. It is this mentality, which lead the county to this crisis.  If the County can save 400 thousand dollars by cutting the number of Board Members and another 400 thousand dollars by reducing the salary and benefits, that is almost the 1 million dollars they are talking about

cutting from the Social Service Programs.”

 

Chaplin feels that the county should cut the redundant manpower. And, she also questions the county’s need for two public relations officials. DuPage is also the only county that has an Election Commission.  The Election Commission duties should be rolled into the County Clerk’s Office.  With smart Democratic leadership, the county can aggressively pursue uncollected court fees. 

 

“After awhile, small savings become huge savings,” Chaplin concluded. “Instead of cutting the Social Services that so many citizens depend on, the DuPage County Board needs to lead by example. The cutting of the fat, needs to start at the top.”

 

<>Liz Chaplin is a 21 year resident of DuPage County. Her husband Brian and her three children are life long residents of DuPage County.

 

<>Liz was the past Second Vice President of the Indain Trail School PTA.   She is currently a member of the Henry Puffer School PTA.  For the past two years <>she has been a member of the Downers Grove Junior Womens Club and served on the board.  Liz has also been a religious Education Teacher at St. Josephs 

Church.

 

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Last updated October 9, 2006
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