Chris Jacks, a Republican and current Naperville Park District commissioner, is running for DuPage County Board District 5 in the Nov. 3, 2026, general election. Jacks, a Naperville resident since 2008, said he entered the race because DuPage County needs stronger accountability, less waste and more common-sense government.

He wants every county office to follow the same rules for budgeting, internal controls and competitive bidding, he said in questionnaire responses to Naper Today. No office should be exempt from basic accountability when taxpayer dollars are at stake, Jacks said.

Candidate information

  • Party: Republican
  • Office sought: DuPage County Board, District 5
  • Residence: Naperville, since 2008
  • Family: Married 19 years; two children, ages 15 and 16, enrolled in Naperville School District 203
  • Education: Bachelor of Science, Syracuse University, 1991; MBA, Indiana University, 1994
  • Occupation: IT project manager with more than 30 years in the field; currently a program manager at Applicantz

Experience and public service

Jacks has served as a Naperville Park District commissioner since 2023. He called the role preparation for county-level work, describing the Park District as "a very well-run unit of government" in his questionnaire.

He also serves on the Naperville Historic Preservation Commission and the Naperville Township Republican Organization, according to Park District records.

His professional career spans more than three decades in IT. Jacks started as a network engineer at Ford Motor Company from 1994 to 1999, then held network engineering and project management roles at DTE Energy, Accenture and General Dynamics. More recent positions include program manager roles at TechMahindra, Marsh McLennan and his current employer, Applicantz.

On the issues

Government accountability and fiscal responsibility

Jacks said every unit of government in Illinois must follow basic rules for budgeting, internal controls and competitive bidding. He singled out the County Clerk's Office, arguing that leaving it without those controls puts the county at financial risk, according to his campaign website and a post on X.

Government efficiency

Jacks said he wants to serve as a moderate Republican voice in DuPage County government. He advocates for limiting overlap between the county and other units of government, according to his campaign website.

Contrast with opponent

Jacks drew a sharp distinction with his opponent in the District 5 race.

"My opponent hasn't taken a single stance or position on a single issue in this campaign, so we have no idea what he stands for," Jacks said in his questionnaire. "I have taken clear positions on the important issues facing the County Board."