The DuPage County Board has eighteen members, three elected from each of six geographic districts, plus a Board Chair elected countywide. Together they approve the county budget, which reached $661.5 million for fiscal year 2026, pass ordinances covering land use and public safety, and oversee county departments from the seat of government in Wheaton.1DuPage County. DuPage County Board Approves Fiscal Year 2026 Budget
Who Represents Each District
The county is divided into six districts, and each district elects three members at-large within its boundaries.2University of Illinois at Chicago. DuPage County Board Voting Analysis As of the most recent election cycle, the roster is:
- District 1 (Elmhurst, Addison area): Cindy Cain, Michael Childress, Sam Tornatore
- District 2 (Oak Brook, Downers Grove area): Liz Chaplin, Yeena Yoo, Paula Garcia
- District 3 (Darien, Willowbrook area): Lucy Chang Evans, Brian Krajewski, Kari Galassi
- District 4 (Glen Ellyn, Wheaton area): Lynn LaPlante, Mary FitzGerald Ozog, Grant Eckhoff
- District 5 (Naperville, Aurora corridor): Sadia Covert, Dawn DeSart, Patty Gustin
- District 6 (West Chicago, Wayne area): Greg Schwarze, Jim Zay, Sheila Rutledge
The full board meets at 10 a.m. on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month in the County Board chambers on the third floor of the JTK Administration Building at 421 N. County Farm Road in Wheaton.3DuPage County. County Board
The Board Chair Is a Separate Office
Under Illinois law, in counties with populations between 300,000 and 3,000,000, the Board Chair runs countywide as a standalone candidate rather than holding a district seat. The Chair serves a four-year term and votes only to break a tie.4FindLaw. Illinois Compiled Statutes 55 5/2-3007 – Chairman of County Board; Election and Term
Deborah Conroy currently holds the position, with her term set to expire in December 2026.5DuPage County. Chair Deborah Conroy The Chair prepares the preliminary budget, coordinates county departments, and recommends appointments to the various boards and commissions that carry out county policy.
What the Board Actually Does
Budget approval is the board’s largest single responsibility. The fiscal year 2026 budget totaled $661.5 million, including a $263.1 million General Fund.1DuPage County. DuPage County Board Approves Fiscal Year 2026 Budget Members also set the annual tax levy that determines how much property tax revenue the county collects.
Beyond finance, the board passes ordinances regulating land use, zoning, and environmental protections in unincorporated areas, and it funds the Sheriff’s Office, courts, and stormwater infrastructure. Fourteen standing committees handle detailed review before items reach the full board, covering areas such as animal services, economic development, transportation, and technology.6DuPage County. Committees
Terms, Elections, and Who Can Run
Members serve four-year terms on a staggered schedule, so roughly half the seats come up in each even-year election. To run, a candidate must be a registered voter who has lived in DuPage County for at least one year before the election.7Illinois General Assembly. Illinois Compiled Statutes 55 5/2-3015 – Qualifications of County Board Members and Commissioners The statutory residency requirement is countywide, not district-specific. When a vacancy is filled by appointment, however, the appointee must live in the district where the vacancy occurred.
Pay and Benefits
Each board member earns a base salary of $52,102 per year. There are no additional stipends or vehicle allowances, so that figure is total compensation.8DuPage County. Elected Official Compensation The Chair earns a higher salary reflecting the position’s full-time responsibilities. Any salary adjustment for the Chair or members takes effect on the first Monday in December, so a sitting board cannot vote itself an immediate raise.
Members participate in the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund pension system, can enroll in county health, dental, and vision plans, and have access to a 457(b) deferred-compensation retirement account.9DuPage County Health Department. Employee Benefits
How Residents Reach the Board
Each meeting includes a public comment period lasting up to 30 minutes total. Comments can also be submitted in advance through an online form on the county website.3DuPage County. County Board Speakers with a specific, concrete request generally get more traction than those speaking in generalities.
For anyone who cannot attend in person, the county posts video recordings of full board and committee meetings, accessible through the meeting-videos page or the DuPage County YouTube channel.10DuPage County. County Board Meeting Videos
Ethics Rules That Bind Members
Board members cannot accept gifts worth more than $100 from any person or company doing business with the county. A prohibited gift must either be returned or donated to charity at its value.11DuPage County. Frequently Asked Questions – Ethics at the County
Annual ethics training is required. Members may hold outside jobs but must confirm with the county’s ethics adviser that the work does not create a conflict. Political activity on compensated county time is prohibited, and no member may receive extra pay or benefits for volunteering in political campaigns.11DuPage County. Frequently Asked Questions – Ethics at the County