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Milton Township Highway Commissioner

The Highway Department is responsible for maintaining all of the accepted roads and road rights of way in the unincorporated areas of Milton Township. Located in the center of DuPage County, Illinois, Milton Township Highway Commissioner’s jurisdiction includes parts of Wheaton, Glen Ellyn, Carol Stream, Lombard, Glendale Heights and Winfield in the unincorporated areas of DuPage County. Currently, Milton Township Highway Department maintains over 80 centerline miles (160 lane miles) of accepted roads and rights of way.

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  • Candidate picture

    Michael H. Drew
    (Dem)

  • Candidate picture

    Gary Muehlfelt
    (Rep)

Biographical Information

Please tell us about yourself. Why are you running for office? What talents do you bring to the office?

What are the two most significant issues facing your community? If elected, how do you plan to address these issues?

How will you promote collegiality with your board and transparancy with the community?

Closing statement.

Campaign Mailing Address 907 S. Gables Blvd
Wheaton, IL 60189
Campaign Phone 6306402273
I am a life long resident of Milton Township. I have 35 years as heavy equipment operator. During those 35 years I operated equipment on highway and building projects for the first 17 years. I then was an assistant coordinator at the local 150 apprenticeship program where I managed 60 employees and a 12 million dollar budget for 6 years. Finally for the last 12 years I have been a business representative for the operating engineers local 150 union. During the last 12 years I have worked with members and contractors solving issues, helping contractors find the right work force and negotiated contracts. Talents besides building roads and operating equipment I read blueprints, have relationships with DuPage County transportation and water.
Current commissioner doesn’t have a clear and transparent 5 and 10 year plan for maintenance, repair, and replacement for the 44 miles of road the highway commissioner is responsible to maintain. I plan to do an extensive audit of the roads. Once the audit is complete, then put a 5 and 10 year plan in place including how to finance the work. Finally reporting on the plan at monthly township meetings. Also putting the plan on the website for the public to see.
First I would start by attending all the board meetings asking the supervisor for 10 minutes to give a report and answer community questions. Transparancy with the community by giving them access to an email address and cell number so if the community has questions or concerns they can reach me to setup a meeting if necessary to address their concerns. At my job as a business agent the membership and contractors have all my contact information. More than 3000 members and contractors have my cell phone number. I plan on having the public have contact information also.
I bring new energy to a department that has been running status quo for the last decade. The highway commissioner position is not a position where voters should look at party affiliation but rather who best can manage the budgets and resources to give the tax payers the best product which the best roads. I know that I bring more to table with all my experiences through out my career than any candidate currently running.
Hello! I’m Gary Muehlfelt, currently serving as Highway Commissioner for Milton Township, seeking re-election. A lifelong resident, I live in Wheaton with my wife, Fiona, and our family. In addition to my role, I’m a partner in a family-owned structural company with expertise in heavy equipment and complex projects. I’m also an active member of St. Michael Church and a former Trustee of the Winfield Fire Protection District. With 20 years of service, I’ve worked to improve infrastructure and community safety. I’m honored to serve as President of the Highway Commissioners of DuPage County and on the Board of Directors for the Township Highway Commissioners of Illinois.

I’ve worked to ensure sustainable, budget-friendly practices for winter road safety. I implemented a joint road salt purchasing initiative in DuPage County, saving tax dollars through intergovernmental agreements. Traditional road salt can harm the environment, so we were the first in DuPage County to use eco-friendly beet juice, which enhances salt efficacy and promotes sustainability. Additionally, I created the “DuPage Township Road Alliance,” a collaboration for weather-related recovery. Our coordinated efforts, especially after the 2022 tornadoes, have been invaluable. I also work with local officials to share ideas and solutions for more effective decision-making.

I will continue to promote my relationship with the township trustees by fostering open communication, actively listening to diverse perspectives, and encouraging collaboration on shared goals. By focusing on mutual respect and trust, I will continue to create an environment where all the trustees and township employees feel valued and united in our mission. For the community, I will continue to ensure transparency by regularly sharing updates, holding open homeowner meetings, and engaging in two-way communication with the individuals of Milton Township. I will continue to be open while actively listening to community feedback to ensure their concerns and ideas are reflected in our actions.
With 20 years of experience as your Highway Commissioner, I have worked hard to improve our roads, save taxpayer dollars, and implement sustainable solutions. I am committed to continuing this work with a focus on safety, efficiency, and environmental responsibility. On April 1st, I ask for your vote to keep Milton Township moving forward. Together, we can build a safer and stronger community. Thank you for your trust and support.