Dupage Policy Journal

DuPage County Board Chairman Pete DiCianni is throwing his support behind opponent Democrat Rep. Deb Conroy in the face of harsh criticism and alleged death threats after she filed a bill that would allow for the detainment of the unvaccinated.

“You know what? (Deb Conroy) is my friend," DiCianni said on WBBM. "I mean, we may be opponents in the general (election), but she's still my friend and I don't agree with every bill she sponsors. She's helped me sponsor other bills with Medicaid and autism and epinephrine, and we've gotten a lot done together. But nobody deserves what she went through. It's embarrassing, and I called Greg (Hart) out."

Conroy’s bill, HB 4640, would give local health departments and state politicians formal legal authority to fully control the behavior of any individuals who don't follow COVID-19 restrictions and rules, including keeping people isolated and under police guard.

Local health departments can "adopt any rules" necessary, according to the bill synopsis.

HB 4640 is heavily unpopular with over 21,000 filing opposition slips against it versus only 188 in favor of the legislation.

DiCianni joined Democrats on the board to characterize fellow board member Greg Hart as a villain for speaking out on the bill when it was first proposed.

Democratic Party members of the DuPage County Board came to Hart’s defense after the DiCianni/Conroy faction launched a politically motivated attack on Hart.

The inclusion of DiCianni, a Republican, had some scratching their heads.

Like Conroy, DiCianni is vying for the position of chairman of the DuPage County Board of Commissioners.

Hart is Conroy’s main opponent. He has continued to be subjected to attacks from the same group, plus DiCianni, who despite his designation as a Republican has made millions off of Democrat politicians looking to get elected or maintain power.

DiCianni, is known as an ally to Democrats both locally and in Chicago, where he has worked on Democrat Machine campaigns and reportedly associated closely with convicted criminals.

His direct influence on the election as a candidate and board member is interesting given his longtime involvement in Democratic campaigns via his two companies, DiCianni Graphics and Win Marketing.

Through those entities, DiCianni does work for political clients. Since 2002 alone, DiCianni has made $2 million from Democratic campaigns and PACs.

He has also managed to make a buck on his own campaigns. DiCianni’s own campaign committees have paid his two companies nearly $290,000 with campaign funds.

DiCianni Graphics also received $192,000 in PPP loans in 2020.

He also has a history of donating to and receiving donations from Democrats and corrupt figures.

Conroy is among those. She and husband, Tim Conroy, gave DiCianni’s campaign two contributions in his successful bid for Elmhurst mayor in 2009.

His later run for county board was financed in part by Joseph and Sebastian “Sam” Palumbo, also known professionally as the Palumbo Brothers, a pair of convicted felons behind two companies that provided him a combined $8,250.

The Palumbos were once convicted for attempting to bribe state workers and for overfilling on road projects.