About Bob Schillerstrom

Bob Schillerstrom has lived and practiced law in DuPage County throughout his adulthood.

He graduated from Naperville Community High School and went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in Religion and History from Illinois College in Jacksonville, Ill., graduating with honors and as a member of Phi Beta Kappa.

Schillerstrom earned his law degree from the Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago-Kent College of Law with honors.

After graduating from law school, he served in the DuPage County State Attorney’s Office, prosecuting cases in the Criminal Division as an Assistant State’s Attorney from 1980 to 1983. Since then, he has been self-employed in a private law practice in Naperville.

Schillerstrom resides in Naperville with his wife Mary Beth and their three children: Connor, Curtis and Katie.

The Beginning…

Bob Schillerstrom was inaugurated Chairman of the DuPage County Board on December 7, 1998, and focused his first term in office on initiatives designed to improve the quality of life in the growing suburban county and to put DuPage County back on the right track.

As chairman, Schillerstrom followed through on pledges to preserve open space, improve the county infrastructure and strengthen law enforcement, all while holding the line on taxes and protecting the county's fiscal integrity. He also implemented ethics and purchasing reforms for the county.

A DuPage County resident for more than 40 years, Schillerstrom's understanding of the challenges facing the county and the expectations of its taxpayers come from his long record of participation in local government and community activities.

Fiscal Conservative

Putting DuPage County's fiscal house in order has been a top priority for Schillerstrom.

Since taking office, Schillerstrom has secured a Triple-A bond rating for DuPage County, a superior rating that saves the county in financing costs. He has lowered county property taxes in every year of his term, and he has established a strategy to reduce high cash balances.

To ease the burden on county taxpayers, Schillerstrom has successfully worked with state and federal authorities to secure $80 million for various improvement projects. In addition, DuPage County was earmarked for $300 million in road improvements under the state's Illinois First program.

Schillerstrom has streamlined county government and made it more accountable to taxpayers. A countywide Economic Development Department was established to work hand-in-hand with local governments in economic development initiatives.

As part of the economic development efficiencies, building and zoning permitting processes have been combined and Internet access has been established. Health Department and human services programming have been increased.

Infrastructure Improvements

A hallmark of Schillerstrom's first term has been the investment made in improving DuPage County's infrastructure, understanding its importance to economic development and the quality of life for county residents.

Consistent with that focus, Schillerstrom has emphasized infrastructure developments that help relieve suburban traffic congestion.

As part of a 10-year program to be paid through county bonding authority – not property taxes – Schillerstrom and the County Board identified storm water and drainage, transportation and public building projects to move DuPage County into the 21st Century.

Tradition of Public Service

Schillerstrom has been an active and successful figure in DuPage County politics for two decades. He was elected Chairman of the DuPage County Board in November 1998 with over two-thirds of the vote. Previously, he was an elected member of the DuPage County Board and served as a Forest Preserve Commissioner from 1986 to 1992.

Schillerstrom also served on the DuPage County Regional Planning Commission from 1988 to 1992. He was a Commissioner of the Naperville Park District from 1983 to 1985, and he was President of the Naperville Park District from 1985 to 1987. He has been a member of the Board of Directors of Copley Hospital since 1993.

He has been a DuPage County Republican Precinct Committeeman for 21 years and is currently secretary of the county GOP organization.

Environmental Advocate

A long-time advocate of open space and environmental protection, Schillerstrom has made those issues the focus of his community activism. He served as a member of the DuPage County Water Commission from 1996 to 1998, and was president of the DuPage County Conservation Foundation from 1994 to 1998.

The Conservation Foundation has been a leading advocate of preserving open space in DuPage County. Schillerstrom also served as Campaign Chairman for Citizens for Open Space, which led to a referendum vote for approval of financing for open space acquisition by the DuPage County Forest Preserve District.

In addition, stricter water quality measures have been put into place, thousands of acres in additional open space have been added, along with 24 miles in recreational trails, and a County Board Environmental Committee was established.

Archive: info gathered from Bob Schillerstrom's previous races