Two candidates are vying in the Nov. 5 election for the District 5 seat on the DuPage County Board.
Incumbent Patty Gustin, a Naperville resident elected to the board in 2022, is being challenged by Saba Haider, who lives in Aurora and serves on the DuPage County Health Department’s Public Health Board.
Both women provided the Naperville Sun with biographical information and answers to election questions. They are published in the order received and their answers to our questions appear as the candidates submitted them.
PATRICIA “PATTY” GUSTIN
Political party: Republican
Age: 64
Hometown: Naperville
Marital status: Married
Children: Three, all adults
Education: DePaul University in Chicago, degree in business management and organization; Roosevelt University in Chicago, paralegal studies
Occupation: Licensed Illinois real estate broker/Realtor, business owner
Employer: Charles Rutenberg Realty
Current elected office, if applicable: DuPage County Board District 5 representative
Previous elected office, if applicable: Naperville City Council, two terms
What credentials do you believe someone should have to hold this job? What do you bring to the position that your opponent does not? Please be specific about education, previous experience and other things that you believe make you the more qualified candidate.
“Trust in Gustin” isn’t just a jingle, it’s what I believe and what you deserve. It’s been my pledge for every public office, board and committee I’ve ever served, as a volunteer or elected, including the county board seat I ask you to reelect me to.
Unlike my challenger, I’m not a newcomer. I believe trust is earned and that experience counts. I have a record of fighting for you, your safety and your pocketbooks. I’m a two-term Naperville City Councilwoman and your incumbent District 5 board member. I have business and legal degrees from DePaul and Roosevelt universities, a 20-year real estate business serving our district’s communities, and I served the US at DOJ and FDIC.
Like District 5, I am proud of my culturally diverse family, especially our military and first responder members. I have no learning curve, I’m already doing the job for you, teaming with all the district’s mayors, county and community leaders. The county and Naperville both have $600M-plus budgets. As a councilwoman and board member, tax rates were held or cut, deficits paid, and all needed services delivered without sacrificing safety. That’s job one. Those are my credentials.
Please list two or three specific goals you would like to accomplish for your district if you are elected. Be specific in your answer as to what the goal is, why it’s a goal and what you need to do to accomplish it.
1. Low Taxes and Smaller Government: These enable residents and businesses to thrive and reduce the risk of losing their homes or business to government costs. As a two-term councilwoman, and now as county board member, I fought for budgets, including the county’s 2024 budget, that kept tax rates flat. Budget experience is more important in 2025 because the “free” federal COVID money is gone.
2. Community Safety: It’s the foundation for living, doing business and growing the tax base of our county to collectively lower taxes for everyone. Funding first responder budgets and sound mental health and preventative drug programs must always be a priority. Cost savings could include lowering job entry barriers for law enforcement, filling vacant positions to cut overtime costs, advanced equipment, collaborating with school officials on mental health programs, and partnering with the public defender and sheriff’s offices for rounded options.
3. Streamline Processes to Save Time and Money: Today’s financial stress makes promoting affordable housing for entry-level and middle-class families a must-be priority. I will keep working with the County Ad Hoc Housing Committee to develop uniform plans with the public and private stakeholders, including to streamline permits and other approvals. Recently, I initiated and passed a revised beekeeping ordinance, addressing inequities between incorporated and unincorporated residents. (www.chicagotribune.com/2024/08/28/divided-dupage-county-board-oks-rule-change-allowing-more-bee-hives-in-unincorporated-area)
There have been several disputes this year between the DuPage County Board and elected county officials. What role should the board play in terms of oversight of countywide officials beyond their budgets? Are you concerned that countywide elected officials might not be fully versed in what their jobs require? Is it the board’s job to intervene if they are not complying with county or state rules/requirements?
To my knowledge, in all of the county’s history, the county board has never needed to question the integrity of, or recommend an action against, a countywide elected official. The matters at issue seem fundamental to the provision of government services so there has never been a need to compel transparency or to take steps to ensure fair, competitive bidding or to stay within the bounds of allocated budgets. Despite its different offices, we are one county and every one of its elected officials are custodians of the public trust. While it’s not yet clear where this wasteful contest will end, the state attorney’s office is charged with handling these matters, and it is.
SABA HAIDER
Political party: Democratic Party
Age: 40
Hometown: Aurora
Marital status: Married
Children: Two, ages 12 and 16
Education: master’s degree in wildlife science
Occupation: Small business owner
Employer: Self-employed
Current elected/appointed office, if applicable: Public Health Board, DuPage County Health Department
Previous elected office: n/a
What credentials do you believe someone should have in order to hold this job? What do you bring to the position that your opponent does not? Please be specific about education, previous experience and other things that you believe make you the more qualified candidate.
I am running for the DuPage County Board to make DuPage a safe, successful and sustainable county for all. I am an (Indian Prairie) School District 204 mom, a mental health advocate and a community volunteer, serving my community for over a decade. My professional and community service experiences have allowed me to interact with people from diverse backgrounds — socially, culturally and economically. I have worked hard to understand the needs and challenges of our residents. I strongly believe that by building strong relations with local community leaders, business owners and nonprofit organizations, we can create a more economically resilient, healthy and sustainable county.
I am running to lead DuPage to be a pro-people and pro-business county. But it’s not just about dollars; it is also about common sense. Our quality of life depends on clean air, water and abundant open spaces. As a member of the Public Health Board of the DuPage County Health Department, I continue to champion the expansion of mental health and substance use crisis services, especially for our youth. I am honored to have voted for the approval of the Crisis Recovery Center, which will provide comprehensive mental health and substance use crisis services to adults, children and their families.
Please list two or three specific goals you would like to accomplish for your district if you are elected. Be specific in your answer as to what the goal is, why it’s a goal and what you need to do to accomplish it.
I bring a wealth of experience through my educational, professional and community service background. I have a master’s degree in wildlife science. I serve on the Public Health Board of the DuPage County Health Department along with many other councils and boards in my communities. I have been running my business for over a decade while raising our 16- and 12-year-old (children) with my husband in DuPage County.
My priorities are the following:
Mental Health and Social Services: Invest in mental health programs and facilities, ensuring that residents have access to quality mental health services. Collaborate with local organizations to address social issues. Develop outreach programs to raise awareness and reduce stigma surrounding mental health.
Robust Economic Growth: Foster economic diversification by supporting the growth of emerging industries and startups. Develop initiatives to attract businesses from various sectors, including but not limited to, technology, health care and renewable energy. Invest in workforce development programs to ensure residents have the skills needed for diverse employment opportunities both in the public and private sectors.
Environmental Sustainability: We need to keep our water, air and soil safe for generations to come. Implementing sustainable development practices, such as green building standards, encouraging the use of renewable energy sources, and promoting community engagement to develop and implement comprehensive sustainability plans.
There have been several disputes this year between the DuPage County Board and elected county officials. What role should the board play in terms of oversight of countywide officials beyond their budgets? Are you concerned that countywide elected officials might not be fully versed in what their jobs require? Is it the board’s job to intervene if they are not complying with county or state rules/requirements?
There are nine independently elected countywide offices in DuPage County: Treasurer, recorder, sheriff, state’s attorney, clerk, circuit court clerk, auditor, county board chair and coroner. Cooperation is essential to the county board’s effective functioning and safeguarding of the voters’ best interests. I believe that every elected official should focus on the shared goal of providing the best services to the residents of DuPage County. Regular dialogue and collaboration between board members of all political backgrounds and countywide elected officials can ensure that decisions are made based on what is best for the community rather than partisan interests or individual office. Currently, there is a lawsuit going on. The court will decide what is the best route forward for all parties involved. The goal should be to follow the procedures and provide transparency to our voters by making accountability a priority. A gridlock stops progress and that impacts all DuPage County residents. As a member of various boards and councils, I’ve consistently worked across ideological lines to advance initiatives that benefit the entire community for many years. I am not afraid of digging deep and researching the issues at hand. I will then make educated, informed, and empathetic decisions about how to best serve the residents of DuPage County.
