Campaign Info

Position sought: DuPage County Board Member, District 2

Political party: Democratic

E-mail address: citizensforchaplin@gmail.com

Phone: 630-518-6740

Address: 5623 Pershing Ave., Downers Grove

Campaign committee: Citizens for Chaplin

Website: www.lizchaplin1.blogspot.com

Personal Info

Family: Husband, Brian; three children

Education: N/A

Occupation: Accounts payable

Previous Elected or Appointed Offices: Appointed to the DuPage Water Commission by DuPage County Board Chairman Robert J. Schillerstrom in 2002 to fill the remainder of a vacant seat and was reappointed in 2004 to serve a full term. Served on the DuPage Water Commission for 8 years. Was one of the first Water Commission members to sound the alarm on the commission's financial mismanagement. Later a forensic audit confirmed my warnings and praised me for my efforts.

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

Spearheaded the effort to bring safe water to 800 homes in unincorporated Downers Grove. I represented the homeowners in negotiations with the U.S. and Illinois EPA, the Village of Downers Grove, DuPage County and the DuPage Water Commission to reach an intergovernmental agreement to bring safe water to residents in the unincorporated area. 

Served as President of the Citizens Advisory Group from 2001-2003, represented the group on the Governor's Action Team, recommended to State Representatives amending the Illinois Ground Water Protection Act to ensure that the Department of Public Health would notify residents within 60 days of suspected contamination so that wells could be tested. Worked with the Village of Downers Grove to secure a state grant for $700,000 to extend water mains in the North Belmont Park neighborhood.

Candidate Questions

What would your priorities be if elected to this office?

I am running for DuPage County Board because I believe government should serve the people, not the other way around. I will decline and work to end the taxpayer-funded pensions and health benefits for part-time elected county board members. I will work to cut the salaries in half.   

Other priorities:

• End single bid contracts and enact tough ethics reform that would include a Responsible Bidder Program.
• See that Western Access to O'hare is completed.
• Provide cost effective and compassionate social services.
• Protect the safety, health and property values of DuPage County citizens.
• Promote economic development serving the best interests of all citizens.

What sets you apart from other candidates?

In 2001, I was a strong champion for Downers Grove families facing with a public health crisis due to polluted well water.

More recently myself along with my neighbors defended the integrity of our neighborhood against a proposed commercial intrusion that would have lowered property values, increased traffic and compromised the safety of neighborhood streets. Following months organized protests by citizens the petitioners pulled their plans.

While you will see many elected officials at Chamber of Commerce events, it is a rarity that you will find an elected official that will return a phone call or email, let alone meet with them. I will be the elected official that returns emails, phone calls and meets with the citizens.

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

DuPage County is a great place to live and work. We have excellent schools, shopping, hospitals, first responders—we have it all.

The best thing we can do to promote job growth is to keep DuPage attractive. 

The way to do this is to maintain our infrastructure.  It is imperative that O'Hare Western Access is completed.   

Work with the schools throughout DuPage. A well-prepared work force is important to companies that are just starting up or relocate.

Keeping our social services for the poor, children, elderly and our veterans. A community that values all is a community that will succeed.

What would you do to practice fiscal responsibility in DuPage?

As your DuPage County Board member I will decline taxpayer-funded health and pension benefits  I will seek to abolish such benefits for all  County Board members. I also will fight to halve the salaries paid to members.  

End the practice of single bid contracts.

Enhance transparency for all of County Government and require that any entity that receives subsidies from DuPage County to post their budgets online and abide by the Freedom of Information Act.

I will follow all bond ordinances, contracts and ethics policies. Many of the problems that we are facing today are due to the fact that many of our elected officials do not follow the rules.

The DuPage Water Commission got into trouble because they were out of compliance with the bond ordinance.  They simply ignored it. That is not the way to govern.

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

I would like to have the county survey all of the roads and have a plan in place so that five or 10 years out they can be prepared to make the necessary improvements.

I would like to encourage the use of public transportation and work with Pace to see where improvements can be made.

I would also like to see more bike paths throughout DuPage.

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

With 41 departments, we should look to cut redundant services and consolidate departments if necessary.

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

We have venues in Will, Cook and Kane why not have them in DuPage, which may bring jobs and help our economy.

What do you suggest for property tax relief?

DuPage County has one of the lowest tax rates of the collar counties. I would not support any increase in the levy.

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

No, the state should not be consolidating school districts. If consolidation is going to be done it should be done at the local level.

Should the state legalize marijuana?

For medical purposes only.

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

Eliminate the program.

Who are your political heroes and why?

I don't have any political heroes. My parents are my heroes. They made me the person I am today.

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

No.