Dupage Policy Journal

Paul Drabik is running for Downers Grove Village Council in the upcoming election on Tuesday, April 1.

Drabik, a combat veteran who is raising a family in Downers Grove, holds a bachelor's degree in organizational development from Eastern Illinois University and a master's degree in communication from Northwestern University. 

Drabik’s political journey began during the COVID-19 pandemic, which he describes as a pivotal moment. 

“I got involved in politics when I saw what was happening in the schools while working from home in data finance,” he said. “I researched the impact on children and felt compelled to speak out about lockdowns and mask mandates.” 

His activism led him to school board meetings, where he caught the attention of local Republican groups. 

“They encouraged me to join the Downers Grove Township Republican Organization and become a committeeman,” he recalled.

Leveraging his public speaking and writing skills, Drabik became involved with conservative outlets, writing for The Gateway Pundit. 

“Public speaking and writing have always been passions of mine,” he said. 

Drabik added that his efforts grew into working as a consultant for Surus Illinois, a conservative political consulting firm.

He has been particularly outspoken about local Republican Party members supporting Democrats. 

“We criticized Republicans who supported radical left agendas,” he said. “We uncovered donations from Republicans in DuPage County to (former Cook County State’s Attorney) Kim Foxx and (DuPage County Board Chair) Deb Conroy and called for censure, highlighting what seemed to be ‘pay-to-play.’”

This willingness to challenge both parties earned Drabik the outsider label and prompted a challenger to his committeeman position.

“I was told Republicans shouldn’t be criticized publicly,” he said. “That didn’t sit well with me.” 

His work eventually led to the creation of the podcast, Behind Enemy Lines, where he, as co-host, has interviewed figures like Dr. Robert Malone and FBI and CIA whistleblowers.

Despite facing personal and professional risks, including online attacks, Drabik remains resolute.  

“The left labels me an extremist because I write for right-leaning outlets,” he said. “They call me a homophobe or racist. But I’ll continue to fight back.”

Drabik’s confrontational approach sets him apart. 

“If you can’t defend your character, how can you represent a constituency?” he said. “If I can’t defend myself, how can I be an effective representative?” 

His readiness to engage in political battles is gaining traction. 

“I see momentum building,” he said. “More people are standing up with me, fighting back together.”

As he campaigns for the Downers Grove Village Council, Drabik is clear about his goals. 

“I’m not afraid to challenge both sides,” he said. “My job is to serve the community, and that means standing up for what’s right—even when it’s uncomfortable.” 

Accountability remains Drabik’s core mission. 

“I’m concerned about the budget and government layers that protect the bureaucracy,” he said. 

Drabik believes this lack of oversight has led to troubling actions, particularly concerning the management of the Downers Grove Library.

One of his key concerns is the removal of a dissenting voice from the Library Board. 

“Last year, the village council voted 3-2 to remove the only dissenting voice,” Drabik explained. 

Drabik believes the board’s actions were driven by a desire to silence calls for greater transparency, especially regarding the library’s budget. 

“Speculation suggested the real reason was his conservative views, but I believe it was more about his call for greater scrutiny,” Drabik said. 

Drabik is critical of the board’s failure to address issues such as the controversial books for young children and access to inappropriate material, such as graphic novels featuring pornographic scenes. 

“These are real concerns for parents, and the library needs to respond better to the community,” he said. “We can’t ignore what children are exposed to in public spaces.” 

Drabik also criticized the hiring of a diversity, equity and inclusion consultant who claimed “racism” within the library’s leadership without evidence, noting the $157,000 cost of the consultant’s services. 

“This could have been better spent addressing actual concerns,” he said.

In addition, Drabik pointed to troubling incidents at the library, including indecent exposure, assaults, and an incident where a child was filmed in a public restroom. 

He believes these incidents stem from poor decision-making, including the library’s policy that allows homeless individuals and those from a nearby methadone clinic to shelter in the library. 

“The library has failed to implement adequate safety measures, and there’s been little interaction with police,” Drabik added.

He also criticized a violation of privacy during the removal of the conservative board member. 

“A library board member disclosed his library card status publicly, leading to a FOIA request for over 25,000 cardholders’ names,” Drabik said. “This violated the Illinois Library Records Confidentiality Act.” 

The Illinois Attorney General’s office affirmed the violation, but Drabik noted that the library board took no action.

“This highlights a two-tier system of justice,” Drabik said. “A board member is removed without cause, while the library director faces no consequences for breaking the law.”

Drabik emphasized the need for change, suggesting the creation of an elected library board. 

“I’m committed to advocating for an elected board. If the library can afford to pay a consultant $157,000, there’s room to cut spending elsewhere,” he said. 

Drabik is concerned about new taxes proposed for Downers Grove, particularly a potential grocery tax. 

“This new tax doesn’t require a referendum, meaning voters have no say. Instead of raising taxes, we should focus on cutting government spending,” he said.

Though local elections are becoming more partisan, Drabik remains focused on improving the Downers Grove community. 

“While I have larger political views, my goal is to address local issues, prioritizing fiscal responsibility and accountability,” he said.

A major issue for Drabik is illegal immigration, which he believes strains public resources. 

“As taxes rise, the Human Services Department's budget has increased to support immigrants,” he said. 

Drabik pointed out the burden this places on essential services like police, fire and hospitals. He opposes sanctuary cities and states whose policies prioritize non-citizens over taxpayers.

“In Illinois, non-citizens are draining resources, while homeless veterans suffer on the streets,” he said. “It’s a stark contrast.” 

He also decries Illinois representatives, including U.S. Rep. Sean Casten (D-Ill.), who has requested federal funding for illegal immigrants. 

“They’re advocating for non-citizens instead of their own constituents,” Drabik said.

He believes public frustration with these policies has reached a tipping point. 

“People are fed up with the hypocrisy, corruption, and fiscal irresponsibility,” he said. “We need to reverse course.” 

Drabik said Downers Grove leadership has avoided this issue. 

He cited Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s actions to stop immigrant buses, which were redirected to the suburbs. 

“(We) found Venezuelans flashing gang signs at the Downers Grove train station and others being dropped off with no clear destination,” he said. “The village council did nothing, and I criticized them for it.”

For Drabik, this issue is about community safety, not partisanship. 

“We don’t know these individuals’ backgrounds, and if they’re not moving on to their destination, we’re putting our community at risk,” he said.

He also pointed to Illinois laws that protect illegal immigrants, such as those allowing name changes, which makes it harder to track these individuals.

“These policies obscure their identities and make it harder for authorities to remove them,” he said.

Drabik strongly supports legal measures to remove illegal immigrants who are using taxpayer-funded services. 

“Government should serve its citizens, not non-citizens,” he said. “If these measures are legal, I’m in favor of reducing the burden on taxpayers.”