Daniel Cronin

In 2015, Gov. Bruce Rauner asked Cronin to sit on a statewide task force to study government consolidation and unfunded mandates.

In November 2015, Cronin helped role out Transform Illinois, a statewide coalition that promotes excellence in government efficiency. Cronin came together with the Metropolitan Planning Council, Better Government Association, the Taxpayers' Federation of Illinois, Illinois Chamber of Commerce, Illinois Campaign for Political Reform and multiple state legislators to form the group. Transform Illinois is a non-partisan collaboration of public officials, civic leaders and research institutions advocating for local government efficiency.

Cronin won re-election as DuPage County Board Chairman in November 2014, winning 64 percent of the vote. Since being elected in 2010, Cronin has cut the county's budget by more than $30 million.

To date, Cronin's efforts have resulted in dissolving the Timberlake Estates Sanitary District, the Fairview Fire Protection District and the DuPage Fair Authority. The ACT Initiative has generated a projected $116 million in taxpayer savings over 20 years through shared services, joint purchasing, benefit reforms and procurement modifications. Cronin's efforts were featured in the 2014 Better Government Association Spotlight on Good Government and the 2014 National Association of Counties Achievement Award for Government Innovation.

Cronin, an advocate for fiscal accountability and efficient government, spearheaded the development of the DuPage ACT Initiative in 2012. The initiative is a comprehensive county reform program designed to improve efficiency, reduce duplication and encourage resource sharing across county government and its independently administered agencies. In 2011, the County Board undertook an examination of its appointed agencies. These provide a wide array of important community services, including but not limited to fire suppression, sanitary and water services, mosquito abatement, airport administration, housing assistance, election management and street lighting. This examination led to the formation of the ACT Initiative in 2012.

Daniel J. Cronin is the current DuPage County Board Chairman, serving in the position since winning the November 2010 election. He is an attorney and served in the Illinois General Assembly for nearly 20 years.

Cronin was elected DuPage County Board Chairman on Nov. 2, 2010, after receiving nearly 63 percent of the vote. During his time as chairman, Cronin has been instrumental in developing ACT Initiative and Transform Illinois, in addition to focusing on regional issues such as infrastructure, public transit and economic development. He also played a big role in obtaining federal grants to help fund the local share of the Illinois Tollway's Elgin O’Hare Western Access project.

Cronin was first elected to the Illinois House of Representatives in 1991 as an advocate for tax relief and smaller government. After one term, Cronin was elected to the Illinois Senate in 1993. There, he pushed legislation to extend property tax caps to homeowners. He sponsored and passed legislation to improve teacher competency and reform Chicago schools. Moved by the “Baby Richard” case of contested adoption, Cronin sponsored new law focusing on best interest of the child. He was known to be a vocal advocate and sponsor of tough, effective law enforcement legislation, including anti-terrorism and truth-in-sentencing laws.

Daniel J. Cronin grew up in Elmhurst, Illinois. He graduated from Immaculate Conception Grade School and Fenwick High School. He earned a bachelor's degree in economics from Northwestern University and a juris doctor degree from the Loyola University School of Law. He was Assistant State's Attorney in DuPage County from 1987 to 1989 and served as legal counsel for House of Representatives from 1985 to 1987. He is currently a partner in the law firm of Power & Cronin Ltd. of Oak Brook.