After a decade-long push by DuPage County Board Chairman Dan Cronin, approval from voters last March, and the change of a state law in July, the county board has voted in favor of the dissolution of the election commission. With an 11-7 vote the dissolution starts immediately. Aside from an estimated $300,000 in annual savings to county taxpayers, the merger will streamline services, with the County Clerk helming the commission’s duties and addressing past problems at the polls. The push for the vote came as a majority of the board- those being republican, felt it was necessary to adopt the merger as soon as possible for the April 2 election.
“If we don’t consolidate now, what message does this send to the municipal people running in the elections this April? ‘Your elections don’t matter. It’s not as important as next spring and next fall, when we have contested partisan elections.’ I come from municipal government and I can tell you it’s probably one of the most important level of government because it’s the closest to the people,” said Sam Tornatore, board member representing District 1.
Full Article: DuPage County Election Commission Dissolves | Naperville NCTV17.