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My name is Paula McGowen, and I live in unincorporated Glen Ellyn. Since 2016, I have served on the DuPage Regional Board of School Trustees. With a deep interest in politics, I have attended Milton Township and DuPage County Board meetings for 25 years, closely monitoring spending that effects all of us as taxpayers. I have witnessed wasteful spending by Milton Township Trustees—funds that should benefit residents instead of being mismanaged. Fiscal responsibility is essential, and I am committed to ensuring tax dollars are used wisely to improve services and infrastructure. Every dollar must serve the community effectively, not be lost to inefficiency.
The current trustees have created a toxic work environment by micromanaging township operations, undermining experienced staff, and causing inefficiencies. Their overreach has led to frustration, lowered morale, and made it difficult for employees to do their jobs. Since May 2021, 21 employees have left due to unbearable conditions. The bidding process should be transparent, with sealed bids opened publicly to ensure fairness. Concerns have arisen about contracts being steered toward specific companies, with a trustee involved in awarded projects. I am committed to fair, competitive bidding where contracts go to the most qualified bidders—not political allies. Our community deserves leadership that values fairness and fiscal responsibility.
I have had the honor of serving on the DuPage Regional Board of School Trustees for the last nine years. While we may not always agree, we treat each other with respect and focus on our community’s best interests. Open, honest communication is key to effective leadership, and I am committed to being accessible to all residents. I will always listen and discuss the issues that matter. No matter the time or place, I will show up to ensure voices are heard and concerns addressed. Transparency, accountability, and respectful dialogue are the foundation of good governance, and I will uphold these values in all I do.
I am committed to responsible governance, fiscal accountability, and ethical leadership. Our community deserves leaders who prioritize residents over personal interests, ensuring every tax dollar is spent wisely and transparently. I will restore integrity by promoting efficiency, professionalism, and fairness in township operations. By addressing mismanagement, bureaucracy, and questionable bidding, we can build a trustworthy government.
Leadership is about service, and I will always be available to listen, engage, and find solutions. Together, we can create a transparent, efficient township that values taxpayers and hardworking residents. It is time for a fresh approach that prioritizes integrity and respect.
Campaign Phone
6306318516
I am a community college teacher, researcher, and union leader whose experience in assessment, organizing, and board governance will help make Milton Township more
responsive and focused on community needs. I am running for office because I think it's time for fresh energy and a new perspective within township governance. I can help deliver improved services while leading a conversation about collaboration, transparency, and aligning budget priorities with the township mission.
Milton Township residents deserve good governance and access to existing services. This means being professional, prepared, and responsive at meetings and events and fulfilling all of the Trustee duties year-round, with a focus on the Township responsibilities. Also, the administrative costs of the Township are disproportionate to the level of service currently available. To pursue improvements, I am committed to supporting a forensic audit, developing and publishing appropriate meeting materials, program information, and calendars, and sharing all financial records and court proceedings with transparency and timeliness. Also, I will work to build relationships across units of government and other agencies to better coordinate services.
I have experience working with fellow elected board members with diverse interests and strong opinions. Working on a board means building relationships, focusing on issues, and practicing good governance. All Trustees must become familiar with the customs, rules, and laws relevant to the process and abide by them. Also, it’s important for an individual Trustee to accept the decisions of the whole, and practice professionalism when a vote doesn’t turn out the way you want, though it is reasonable to continue to advocate or build towards a different decision in the future. Finally, I think the Township should assess its internal and external communication practices to identify short-term and long-term improvements that create transparency.
I value the services the Township provides, and I think I can work to improve Township communication, transparency, and effectiveness. Milton Township Residents deserve to have elected officials who are enthusiastic, committed to the entire community, and ready to put in the work. It's time to change the status quo, and make some progress.
Campaign Phone
630-728-7848
My wife and I have lived in Wheaton since 1979. Our 5 children graduated from Wheaton Central. We moved to Wheaton from Fresno, CA.
I want to make sure all the of the residents of Milton are served by the township. Some members of our community are still suffering financially and emotionally due to the pandemic. We need to communicate to our constituents that assistance is available to those that qualify.
I am USN Vietnam Vet. Former High School music teacher. Held Mfg management positions. Retired with over thirty years in business and mfg. Facility mgr for General Foods/Kraft Foods. 32 years as a professional member of the CSO Chorus, Former Teamster member, Current union member of American Guild of Musical Artists.
Assistance for those in need. The Township by State Statute is charged with helping those in need. Currently the Assistance Fund is providing only $40K in assistance per year but the same fund is paying $123K in salaries and wages to dispense the $40K. The Township spends more money maintaining abandoned cemeteries than it does in grants for those in need.
Food scarcity is currently a problem for low income residents. The Township has expanded their food pantry but have space constrains for food storage.
If elected I want to create an outreach program that will coordinate with other agencies in Milton and make more people aware of Township programs.
Coordinating with other Milton food pantries would reduce food storage issues.
I will work with the board to provide timely meeting agendas prior to meetings and meeting video and minutes after the meetings.
Meeting dates, agenda and minutes are posted on the Township website currently but not easily found. Video are now being taken but not posted.
A revamp of the website is being discussed. I would work with the board to make sure the website update is done and in a timely manner.
My wife and I chose Wheaton for its racial diversity, schools, rail transportation and affordable housing costs. That was over 50 years ago. Housing cost, including property taxes, are much higher now and some retirees and workers are finding it hard to stay in our community.
A portion of our residents are one paycheck away from homelessness. The Township must be available to assist those constituents if they can't pay their utility bill or rent and meet the requirements for assistance.
I want to make sure that we, the Township, are available to help.
Campaign Phone
6303345735
As a long-term resident of the township, I’ve been involved in the community Being a trustee is another opportunity.
I spent my career in financial management and consulting.
I’ve reviewed the financial statements on the website,we have a problem.
Since the current regime has been in office:
-The Books Haven’t Balanced for the last 3 years per the Supv’s Annual Statement.They have always balanced before.
-Admin expenses are too high, 70-80% of total spend in some funds.
-In their first year in office, Admin expenses in the Town Fund went up 44%, a $424,000 increase.Why?I want to look into this and other township spending.The detail is not readily available.
All of this is unacceptable as stewards of the taxpayer’s money,
In our community, 2 of the most significant issues are: affordability and value for our taxes. If elected, I am committed to reviewing every program and every dollar spent by the township to ensure each brings value to the taxpayer. Don’t get me wrong – I’m NOT looking to haphazardly cutting programs. I want to make sure the township offers programs that benefit our community but with less overhead and more accountability.
I’ve served on several boards and run multi-million projects in my corporate career. One thing I know – for any board or team to be effective, you need open and honest communication and to listen and respect each other’s viewpoints. And just as important is to address conflicts quickly, openly and with no hidden agendas.
As for transparency, the current Milton Twp website needs a total redesign with improved navigation and search capabilities. I spent much of my career designing executive dashboards.
In closing, in all my endeavors, I've always searched for ways to improve operations or processes and make them faster, cheaper, better. Every organization especially those with years of the same management, like the township, needs a fresh pair of eyes to review literally everything. I believe I, along with the rest of the Democratic slate, can provide that review and oversight and improve the township’s transparency and accountability. I’m asking for your vote. And, I’m asking that you ask your neighbors and friends to vote – to care about the financial accountability and ‘VALUE FOR YOUR TAXES.”
