Dupage Policy Journal

DuPage County voters will have five state House races to consider in the general primary election, as well as whether to allow a handful of local government entities to raise property taxes or borrow more money.

Fox Valley Park District and Bartlett Fire Protection District have spots on the March 20 ballot asking voters to hike property taxes. Fox Valley Park District's proposition is asking for 0.07000 percent above the limiting rate for the 2016 levy year. Bartlett Fire Protection District is seeking a property tax increase "from the lesser of 5 percent or the percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index over the prior levy year to 21 percent for levy year 2018," according to the ballot.

Fox Valley Park and Bartlett Fire Protection districts are not the only ones asking voters to pay more in taxes or let them borrow more. Bloomingdale Fire Protection District wants to issue $4.5 million in bonds to "repair and improve fire stations and purchase emergency response fleet and equipment," according to the ballot.  South Elgin and Countryside Fire Protection District has a proposition on the ballot to issue $10 million in general obligation bonds while Fox River and Countryside Fire Protection District is looking for a property tax increase "from the lesser of 5 percent or the percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index over the prior levy year to 60 percent per year for the 2018 levy year."

Jay Kinzler, Republican candidate for Illinois' 46th District State House seat

DuPage County voters also have an opportunity to consider candidates in local Republican primary races who generally are against taxing and borrowing more.

Glen Ellyn Republican Jay Kinzler, a surgeon and U.S. Army Reserve Colonel, is seeking Illinois' 46th District State House seat currently held by Rep. Deb Conroy (D-Villa Park). 

Kinzler told the DuPage Policy Journal in a recent interview that District 46 residents can't continue to pay "more and more" to government agencies in the district.

 "It is not sustainable." he said. "It will reach a breaking point and for many people it has. That is why we see a huge exodus (out) of Illinois." 

Kinzler faces Roberr Orozco in the general primary election. The district includes all or part of Glendale Heights, Carol Stream, Addison and Villa Park.

Aurora Republican Tonia Khouri, wife and mother as well as DuPage County board member, is seeking Illinois' 49th District State House seat currently held by Rep. Mike Fortner (R-West Chicago), who is retiring. 

Khouri enjoys broad support among members of the GOP, including Kane County Chairman Chris Lauzen and DuPage County GOP Chairman Brian Krajewski, in addition to Sen. Jim Oberweis (R-Sugar Grove), Sen. Michael Connelly (R-Wheaton) and Sen. Dan McConchie (R-Hawthorn Woods). 

"I am honored by the outpouring of support for my campaign from these leaders," Khouri said in a press release. Khouri faces Nic Zito in the general primary election. The district covers Cook and DuPage counties,  St. Charles, South Elgin, and West Chicago.

Schaumburg Republican Jillian Bernas, an international relations manager, is seeking the 56th District state House seat currently held by Rep. Michelle Mussman (D-Schaumburg). 

Bernas said in a recent North Cook News interview that the American dream of homeownership has become more akin to a nightmare in Illinois, where home equity is gobbled up by property taxes. Bernas said she would counteract that by supporting a 1 percent property tax cap. 

"This would help bring certainty and stability to homeowners, and help middle-class families dealing with stagnant incomes," she said during that interview. 

Bernas faces Charlotte Kegarise in the general primary election. The district includes Schaumburg, Hanover Park, Roselle and Elk Grove Village.

Republican Mickey Straub, the mayor of Burr Ridge, is running in the 82nd state House District race for the seat currently held by Illinois State House Minority Leader Jim Durkin (R-Western Springs). 

Straub has publicly referred to Durkin as "a Democrat wearing Republican clothing" who is all too cozy with Illinois' powerful state House Speaker Mike Madigan (D-Chicago).

"Jim Durkin was elected nearly 20 years ago to represent Illinois families but, unfortunately, records show he is more focused on representing his law firm by passing legislation to increase local government debt," Straub said in a press release. 

The district covers parts of Cook, DuPage and Will counties, including Darien, Homer Glen, Lemont and Willowbrook.

Republican Burt Minor, Winfield Township chairman, is running for the 42nd District State House seat currently held by Rep. Jeanne Ives (R-Wheaton), who is running for Gov. Bruce Rauner's job. 

Minor recently attracted the ire of Ives and other members of the state's GOP following his allegedly racist and sexist comments about Republican state Attorney General's candidate Erika Harold. Ives urged Minor to withdraw from the 42nd District primary. 

Minor faces Amy Grant and Ryan Byrne in the general primary election. The district includes parts of Wheaton, Warrenville, Carol Stream, Lisle, Winfield, West Chicago and Naperville.