Tony Michelassi for DuPage County Board

(From the Lisle Sun, April 25th, 2008.)

By Paige Winfield

Dismay built inside Tony Michelassi as he stood in the voting booth, looking over a largely blank ballot.

“I went into that voting booth on primary day and I pulled a Democratic ballot, but almost all of the slots were blank,” he said.

The 22-year-old had graduated with an associate’s degree in political science from College of DuPage two months before the February primary. Although he started his college career as a rhetoric major at the University of Illinois, he had become increasingly interested in government administration.

So when he saw blank space after blank space on the ballot, he decided his name should go in the Democratic slot for the 5th District of the DuPage County Board, which includes Naperville and Lisle.

“I thought this would be a great way to get experience in the field, whether I win or not,” said Michelassi, of Aurora.

After consulting with his local precinct committeewoman, Michelassi began attending meetings of the DuPage County Democratic Party and was nominated to run for the seat in March, just before the filing deadline.

In November, he’ll compete with two Republicans - incumbent Jim Healy and attorney Gerry Cassioppi - for two of the District 5 seats on the 18-member board.

Printed on flimsy paper, Michelassi’s bright yellow business cards have a homemade quality that typify his grassroots campaign. Because he didn’t know many local Democratic leaders when he entered the race, he says he’s spent much of his time the past few weeks meeting people.

He plans to juggle campaigning with pursuing a bachelor’s degree in political science at Aurora University and work at a Jewel-Osco store. Whether he attends school full or part time will depend largely on his finances - which are tight, he says.

Like the other Democratic County Board candidates, Michelassi points a finger at what he says is poor budgeting by the all-Republican board. And he thinks Canadian National should be able to purchase the EJ&E railroad - a sale Healy has been fighting vigorously.

“I think we should allow the purchases to go forward,” Michelassi said. “(The sale) will improve business opportunities and reduce tractor-trailer traffic.”