On Monday, Sept. 20, DuPage County Board member Pete DiCianni (2nd District) announced his candidacy for DuPage County Board Chairman.
Surrounded by more than a dozen DuPage County Mayors, in addition to union and business leaders and friends and family, DiCianni pledged to bring his leadership, passion for economic development, and steadfast support for law enforcement to the Chairmanship job.
“I am honored by the people who have joined me here today to support my candidacy for DuPage Board Chairman,” he said. “I believe in bi-partisanship and to make DuPage County prosperous and safe for people to live and work. I’m humbled to have many people supporting me today, who know my leadership, experience and passion for good and transparent government uniquely qualifies me to be the next county chairman.
“I learned the importance of working hard alongside others from both my father Pete Jr., a business teacher turned State Farm Agent, and my Grandfather Pete Sr., a sewer worker who was a card-carrying member of the Laborers Local 2.
“I still carry his card with me today as a reminder that labor is just as much backbone of our life today as it was for him.
“My passion for public service has always been about the people of DuPage. As chairman, I will work to unite our government leadership team so we can all stay focused on our residents. That is our job.”
During his announcement, DiCianni detailed his economic plan consisting of increased business development, lessening the burden on property taxes.
“People come to DuPage because it is a safe and comfortable place to live and raise a family, as we have the best in public and private education for our youth,” he said. “We must also value and keep in mind the people who helped build our county – our seniors. We have a responsibility as government leaders to increase the ways to provide quality services and care for them, as well as for our most vulnerable, especially those with developmental disabilities, mental health and addiction challenges.”
DiCianni has longed championed public safety, economic development, infrastructure and health care initiatives throughout his elected public service. Prior to becoming a DuPage County Board member, DiCianni served as the Mayor of Elmhurst from 2009-2012, where he spearheaded a record $1 billion economic development recovery during one of the nation’s worst recessions. The recovery plan including the building of Elmhurst Hospital which created employment for more than 4,000 workers.
His 10 years of volunteer service (1996-2006) running Elmhurst Children’s Assistance Foundation prepared him for what would prove to be a life-changing achievement helping children diagnosed with autism and their families. After DiCianni’s own daughter Brianna was diagnosed with autism when she was a toddler, DiCianni and his wife Rose, a Registered Nurse at Loyola University Medical Center, realized there was no insurance coverage for key and expensive health services aimed at helping those facing the diagnosis. DiCianni doggedly pursued help for these children and got it when Brianna’s Law passed in a bi-partisan effort in the Illinois General Assembly, making healthcare services related to helping children with autism covered by insurance in Illinois. The coverage became a financial life preserver for families, as the law became the standard for similar laws passed in all 50 states nationwide.
“Brianna’s law wasn’t just for me and my family; it was for ALL families who face the lifelong challenges of caring for a child who needs consistent medical treatment and therapy,” he said. “Leadership means working with everyone no matter if you are Democrat or Republican to make a difference in the lives of people who need it most.”
DiCianni has been a resident of DuPage County since his parents bought their bungalow on Highland Avenue in Elmhurst in 1976, where they raised Pete and his six younger siblings. DiCianni and Rose still have Elmhurst roots, where they raised three children: Natalie, Peter and Brianna, and are so excited to be expecting their first grandchild in December.
