Voters can make informed decisions when they are provided with timely, accurate information about what their elected officials are doing. Government acts in your name, and spends your money. You have a right to know what it's doing at all times.

The current Republican regime in DuPage not only fails to help provide voters with information, it in many cases actually hinders. Meetings are often held in closed-door secret sessions, and ones that are public are usually scheduled during the day when working people can't attend. Documents such as budgets and vendor contracts are often not easily available.

Recently, the Democratic minority members of the DuPage County Board hosted a community forum on health care. Republicans were invited, anyone present was allowed to comment, and two out of three panelists favored a plan (single-payer enhanced Medicare for all) which the Democratic Congressional leadership has declared to be "off the table." Nevertheless, some Republicans denounced the forum as a Democratic event, even suggesting that the County Board Democrats be required to pay for its expenses out of their own pockets. (The main expense incurred was for extra security, put in place because County officials expected that right-wing "tea party" activists might try to disrupt the event.)

Lack of transparency in government can have real, disastrous consequences for people living under that government. Recently, DuPage Republicans voted to give away millions of dollars worth of public land to Navistar corporation. It was later revealed that Navistar's plan was to build an engine testing facility which would badly pollute the surrounding areas, so much so as to force a nearby school for autistic children to close its doors. Even Republican members ot the County Board and Forest Preserve authority weren't given information on the deal, and they — including our opponent in this race who currently chairs the County Board's Environmental Committee — failed to ask the right questions. This is not the way to run a business, especially one that manages other people's money. Any giveaway of public land or other resources must be out in the open. Legally binding agreements should specify the conditions of any such deal, including what the taxpayers are to receive in return for the gift.