DuPage County Forum

Join us in the Auditorium & Atrium for a Candidate Open House and scheduled forums throughout the evening.

Meet the Candidates

Candidates will be available at tables throughout the evening in an open-house format, giving community members the opportunity to speak with them directly, ask questions, and learn more about their priorities and platforms.

All candidates for the participating DuPage County races have been invited. A full list of confirmed candidates will be posted below as all confirmations are received.

The Evening

ATRIUM OPEN HOUSE

Running 5:30 – 8:30 PM. Meet candidates one-on-one, pick up campaign materials, and ask questions informally at their tables.

AUDITORIUM CANDIDATE FORUM

Three moderated panels covering County Board Districts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6, each candidate given equal, timed speaking opportunities. Spanish interpretation will be provided by ALMAS for the candidate forums only.

Forum Schedule

DuPage County Administration Building, Auditorium — September 9, 2026

5:30 – 5:45 PM: Welcome

5:45 – 6:30 PM: Forum 1 — County Board Districts 2 & 4

6:30 – 6:45 PM: Break / Room Turnover

6:45 – 7:30 PM: Forum 2 — County Board Districts 1 & 6

7:30 – 7:45 PM: Break / Room Turnover

7:45 – 8:30 PM: Forum 3 — County Board Districts 3 & 5

**Two candidates are scheduled outside their home district's forum due to availability: Christopher Espinoza (District 2) will participate in Forum 3 (7:45–8:30 PM), and Ian Holzhauer (District 5) will participate in Forum 1 (5:45–6:30 PM). All candidates remain available at their Atrium table throughout the evening.

Submit a Question

Community members will have the opportunity to submit questions in advance for consideration during the candidate forums by emailing Civic@ALMAScommunity.org with email subject Question for DuPage Candidate Forum.

ALMAS will make every effort to include as many community-submitted questions as possible within the time available. While we cannot guarantee that every question will be asked during a forum, attendees may also ask candidates questions directly at their tables during the open house.

Confirmed Candidates

For Atrium Open House & Candidate Forums

District 1: Michael Childress & Melissa Villanueva

District 2: Christopher Espinoza, Theresa McClear, Rusty Stevens & Mary Rada Walters

District 3: Marcus King, Brian Krajewski & Ericka Polanco Webb

District 4: Mary Fitzgerald Ozog

District 5: Dawn DeSart, Ian Holzhauer, Chris Jacks & Daniel Lomeli

District 6: Jesse Gutierrez, Melissa Martinez, Kathy Zander & James Zay

For Atrium Open House

Margaret "Peggy" O'Connell, 3rd Appellate District

Gary Grasso, DuPage County Board Chairman

Deb Conroy, DuPage County Board Chairman

Paula Deacon Garcia, DuPage County Clerk

Patricia Kladis-Schiappa, DuPage County Clerk

Pete Coolidge, DuPage County Sheriff

Rebecca Gamboa, DuPage Regional Superintendent of Schools

Daniel Hebreard, DuPage Forest Preserve President

Carl Schultz, DuPage Forest Preserve President

Susan M. Smentek, Forest Preserve District 1

Tina Tyson-Dunne, Forest Preserve District

Spanish interpretation will be provided for the scheduled candidate forums in the Auditorium.

Parking & Building Entry

• Visitors should park in the 421 South Lot and walk to the 421 Main Entrance. VIEW PARKING MAP

• Please allow additional time for security upon arrival. Visitors will walk through a metal detector, and bags and purses will be inspected by security staff at the entrance.

This event is FREE and open to the public. All community members are welcome.

ALMAS is a nonpartisan 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. All candidates for participating races are invited to participate. Participation in this event does not constitute an endorsement of any candidate or political party.