Local Government, Real Impact: Why Your County Board Matters

When most people think about government, they picture Washington, D.C. or Springfield. Yet the decisions that touch our daily lives most directly—public safety, roads and facilities, forest preserves, property tax administration, public health, and social services—are shaped right here at the county level. Understanding what the County Board does helps residents hold leaders accountable and advocate for what matters to families and neighborhoods across DuPage.

What the County Board touches every day

Public Safety & Justice. The county coordinates closely with the Sheriff’s Office, State’s Attorney, courts, and emergency management. Resources for deputies and prosecutors, victim services, and programs that reduce repeat offenses all depend on county budgeting and oversight. When the county gets this right, response times stay low, officers are well-trained, and communities feel safe.

Infrastructure & Facilities. Counties maintain roads, buildings, and technology that keep services running. Potholes, signals, snow removal, building upkeep, and capital planning aren’t flashy—but when neglected, everyone notices. Transparent scheduling and performance tracking let residents see where tax dollars go and when projects finish.

Public Health & Human Services. Behavioral health programs, senior services, veterans’ outreach, and emergency shelters often flow through county networks. A resilient county helps residents navigate tough moments—job loss, addiction, mental-health crises—without letting small problems become large ones.

Budget & Accountability. The budget sets priorities. A clear budget documents what we plan to achieve—safer streets, reliable roads, healthier communities—and how we will measure success. When budgets are dense or posted late, trust suffers. When they’re user-friendly, residents can ask smart questions and spot waste.

Why transparency matters

Sunlight is a service to taxpayers. Residents shouldn’t need a finance degree to understand where their money goes. Plain-language summaries, searchable online budgets, and quarterly progress dashboards help the public see what’s working and what needs attention. This isn’t about political talking points; it’s about results: fewer delays, cleaner parks, safer neighborhoods.

How residents can engage

1. Attend or watch meetings. Most sessions are live-streamed or recorded.

2. Comment early. Speak up during budget season when priorities are set.

3. Track a topic. Choose the issue you care most about—public safety, roads, or health—and follow it each month.

4. Join a volunteer board or working group. Counties rely on citizen expertise.

Isobel’s approach to county leadership

Isobel Michaud believes the role of a board member is a civic duty, not a career. She favors open books, clear metrics, and direct communication. Her approach can be summarized in three words: listen, measure, deliver.

• Listen. Host neighborhood conversations, roundtables with law enforcement and first responders, and open office hours so residents can be heard.

• Measure. Translate priorities into metrics: response times, project timelines, cost per mile of road work, case resolution times. Share them quarterly.

• Deliver. Fund what works, fix what doesn’t, and sunset programs that fail to produce results.

Local government is closest to the people—which means it must be the most responsive and the most transparent. When residents engage and leaders lead with integrity, the county becomes exactly what it’s meant to be: a reliable partner in everyday life.