Dupage Policy Journal

Tonia Khouri’s commitment to her DuPage County neighbors and community is hard to overlook.

“Tonia’s continued excellent work on behalf of the citizens of DuPage County in judicial and public safety, as well as her service in mass and public transit, health and human services, and finance is indeed most appreciated,” Illinois State Crime Commission Executive Director Jerry Elsner said on her website in recognition of the 2016 award the organization presented to her for Excellence in County Government. “Our commission, and the law enforcement community, sincerely appreciate her efforts and her support of our mission.”

A member of the DuPage County board for the last six years, Khouri is also actively been involved in such local organizations as the AEI Leadership Network, Choose DuPage, DuPage Convention & Visitors Bureau, Aurora Family Counseling Services, and the Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce.

Tonia Khouri of Auroroa, DuPage County Board District 5 representative

Khouri has her sights squarely set on representing the 49th District, where she is running in November against Democrat Karina Villa to replace retiring Rep. Mike Fortner (R-West Chicago). In the Republican primary, she bested Nick Zito by a nearly 2-1 margin.

Khouri has based much of her campaign on a pledge to fight against the state’s rising taxes, insisting that the 32 percent permanent income tax hike instituted as part of the state budget served as the impetus for her getting in the race.

“We already pay one of the highest property taxes in the nation,” the Aurora Republican recently posted on Facebook. “One of my main reasons for going to Springfield is to lower our property taxes.”

On her website, Khouri points to the way the DuPage County board has trimmed $36.5 million from its budget and saved taxpayers another estimated $110 million by sharing services during her tenure as examples of the kinds of policies she stands for.  

“Springfield’s appetite for our money is insatiable,” Khouri previously told the DuPage Policy Journal. “Our families pay the highest property taxes in the nation, and the Chicago Democrats’ and 'surrender' Republicans’ answer was to burden us with a 32 percent income tax hike without any reforms.”

Khouri also recently told the Sun-Times that her talks with residents have left her convinced Illinois’ dwindling population and souring business climate doesn’t figure to change until lawmakers come to grips with the state’s growing pension system crisis.

“People are literally being priced out of their homes,” she told the Sun-Times. “And what brought me into the race was the 32 percent income tax hike without any reforms. … I think the key in that phrase is ‘with no reforms.’ We can never balance our budget or lower our property taxes if we don’t tackle pension reform.”