Gary Grasso

Burr Ridge, IL, The January 8th Chicago Tribune article covering the race for DuPage County Board Chairman is a perfect example of Dan Cronin's willingness to distort the record to win votes. Cronin talks about property tax caps and criticizes Bob Schillerstrom for alienating municipal leaders when he "yanked" $75 million from the Water Commission when in fact:

During Cronin's first term in the legislature, DuPage County was in a battle for much needed property tax caps. A vast majority of DuPage legislators voted to cap property taxes to protect voters, but Cronin was one of two DuPage Legislators to vote against the bill (Chicago Tribune, July 22, 1991). This isn't Cronin's only liberal vote on taxes, in just the last two years he has voted to raise taxes and fees over $1 billion (HB 656 January 17, 2008 & HB 255 May 20, 2009).

Next, in a move that only a longtime Springfield politician can explain, Dan Cronin ranted to the Chicago Tribune that DuPage County Board Chairman Bob Schillerstrom alienated many municipal leader over a move to 'yank $75 million from the DuPage Water Commission.' What Cronin apparently did not tell the Tribune is that he was actually the sponsor of the legislation (HB3402 93rd General Assembly). The legislation was rebuked by DuPage County's mayors as 'backhanded' (Daily Herald April 29, 2003).

Burr Ridge Mayor Gary Grasso:
"Dan Cronin has proven yet again through deceptive comments that he is nothing more than a typical Springfield politician willing to say anything if he thinks it will help him.. I am the only candidate for DuPage County Board Chairman that actually has run a unit of government. During these fiscally tough times, DuPage needs someone that actually is a fiscal conservative and not a typical Springfield politician like Dan Cronin Dan voted for the RTA sales increase for DuPage and Video Gaming. He is a tax and spend legislator that does not put DuPage County first."

Yesterday, the Downers Grove Township Republican Organization held a straw poll in the race for DuPage County Board Chairman. Gary Grasso, Mayor of Burr Ridge, placed ahead of both DuPage County GOP Chairman Senator Dan Cronin and Senator Carole Pankau.

1. Debra Olson with 1029 points
2. Gary Grasso with 1007 points
3. Carole Pankau with 956 points
4. Dan Cronin with 860 points

Mayor Gary Grasso:

"I am thrilled with my strong showing at the Downers Grove Township Republican Organization's straw poll. The results of the poll show that our underdog campaign is gaining strength. The Republican voters who attended the forum all are familiar with Dan Cronin's record over his last 20 years in Springfield, and it is clear that they don’t want him to be the next DuPage County Board Chairman."

Mayor Gary Grasso is running for County Board Chairman to ensure that DuPage County stays a special place for families, workers and businesses to call home. As a mayor, a member of the DuPage County Board of Health and as a professional, Gary will continue to fight for commonsense government as the next County Board Chairman. The Grasso Plan calls for holding the line on taxes, consolidating government services for greater efficiency, promoting DuPage County for development and expanding employment opportunities, and preserving parks, forests and open spaces. Gary and his wife Janet have six children and have resided in Burr Ridge since 1995.

I recently paid the second installment of my DuPage County property tax bill and I am mad as hell. Reading line-item by line-item conjured the Peter Finch character Howard Beale shouting his scorn in the 1976 movie Network: "I'm mad as hell and I'm not gonna take it anymore!"

That exclamation must be the mantra for the 2010 election. Our economic existence in DuPage County is being eroded by property taxes that mainly go to support inefficiencies and duplication of government at all levels. Ninety percent of our property taxes go to separate school boards, single purpose service districts and escalating pensions. We are grossly overpaying for redundant services, imbedded inefficiencies and extravagant entitlements never intended to be the province of common sense government. We can - and must - do better to keep DuPage County a special place to live, raise children and work before it is taxed into oblivion.

Schools are certainly a cornerstone of neighborhoods and society. Indeed, education is the great equalizer. As the first in my family to earn a college degree, I understand the value of education. Without it, I could not have lived the American dream raising six children with my wife Janet in one of DuPage County's great communities.

Government's function is first to protect lives and property, then provide basic services such as education, public health, road and sewer infrastructure, sensible zoning and storm water protection. Government cannot reach beyond its core purpose and become an open faucet of endless tax supported programs. Citizens should not acquiesce year after year to policies that promote the agendas of lawmakers over the peoples' business. We cannot function with ever-increasing boards, districts and commissions that waste our tax dollars on duplication and inefficiencies.

We are constantly reminded in editorials that Illinois is the most over-governed state in the Union; Springfield's inefficiency, waste and neglect are the great embarrassments of our political generation and have led to unprecedented budget deficits. We must ensure that the sickness in Springfield does not find a foothold in DuPage.

In 2010, the peoples' business must include a rebellion against the cascade of tax increases that perpetuate inefficiencies and waste in government. Demand better from those running for election in 2010 than a cowardly call for more taxes to feed the monster. The drive to raise taxes is brazen political arrogance coupled with contempt for your hard-earned tax dollars. Open your windows, grab your neighbors and friends, get animated, involved and shout like Howard Beale: "I'm mad as hell and I'm not gonna take it anymore!" DuPage County voters can provide the watershed for common sense government; top to bottom. Stop tax addicted inefficiencies, duplication and limitless benefits.