DuPage Official Admits Mistake In Wearing Official Pin

ELMHURST, IL – A DuPage County Board member acknowledged he shouldn't have worn an official county pin and name tag to a political fundraiser last week.

District 6 member Greg Schwarze, who represents northwest DuPage County, is among county officials who have lately worn such things to campaign events.

"While my pin and name badge were not purchased with taxpayer money, it does display the logo of the County and thus should not be worn to a political fundraiser," Schwarze, a Carol Stream Democrat, said in an email to Patch. "I attend so many functions, both County-related as well as political, I tend to forget I'm even wearing the pin."

He continued, "There was certainly no intent to imply 'official County' endorsement at the particular event referenced. As I attend future events of all sorts, I will be sure to be cognizant of how I represent and do so properly and ethically."

In a photo, Schwarze is seen wearing the pin and name tag on his blazer while attending a political fundraiser for District 2 board member Paula Deacon Garcia.

Schwarze is not alone in wearing his official name tag to campaign events.

In the fall, Elmhurst Alderman Guido Nardini, who is running as a Democrat for the DuPage County Board, said he would stop wearing his official city pin to political events when the issue was pointed out.

Around the same time, District 2 County Board member Andrew Honig, a Democrat and Lombard resident, was in photos on his campaign's Facebook page, where he appears to be wearing his government-issued pin during a political fundraiser. He did not return Patch's messages.

In October, area watchdog Edgar Pal submitted a complaint to the county's investigator general about Honig's alleged violation of the rules.

Last month, Tina Tyson-Dunne, a DuPage County Forest Preserve commissioner, wore her official name tag at a Democratic event in Lombard. She did not return a message for comment at the time.