Government Center  
719 S. Batavia Ave., Bldg. A  
Geneva, IL 60134  
Kane County  
KC Public Service Committee  
Meeting Minutes  
SANCHEZ, Young, Gripe, Gumz, Lewis, Surges, Tepe, ex-officios Roth (County Vice Chair)  
and Pierog (County Chair)  
Thursday, September 18, 2025  
9:00 AM  
County Board Room  
1.  
2.  
Call To Order  
Chairman Sanchez called today's meeting to order at 9:01 AM.  
Roll Call  
Board Member Jarett Sanchez  
Board Member David Young  
Board Member Jon Gripe  
PRESENT  
Board Member Anita Lewis  
Board Member Vern Tepe  
Ex-Officio County Board Vice Chair Bill Roth  
Ex-Officio County Board Chair Corinne M. Pierog  
Board Member Michelle Gumz  
REMOTE  
ABSENT  
Board Member Clifford Surges  
Also present: Co. Bd. members Bates*, Juby, Kious*, Tarver*; Treasurer Lauzen*; SOA  
Chief Deputy Winter; ROE Jonak and staff Eggleson; VAC Supt. Zimmerman*; Co. Clk.  
staff Pollock and staff; Spec. ASA Shepro*; ITD staff Peters; and members of the press  
and public including Dir. of Elections Raymond Esquivel.  
3.  
4.  
Remote Attendance Requests  
Chairman Sanchez announced the remote attendance requests for today's meeting.  
He asked the Committee if there were any objections to Committee Member Gumz  
attending remotely. There were no objections.  
Approval of Minutes: August 21, 2025  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
APPROVED BY UNANIMOUS CONSENT  
Jon Gripe  
5.  
Public Comment  
Kane County resident Jordan Mann spoke on her disapproval for Committee Member  
David Young's comments on trans-gender gun violence. She believes this is an attack  
and insult on the LGBTQ community. Mann showed her concerns for Young's actions  
using the public podium as a platform to promote misinformation, and harmful,  
personal ideology towards the LGBTQ community. She believes he is unfit to serve as  
a Board Member, and asked that he be removed.  
Kane County resident Tricia Miller addressed Committee Member David Young's public  
comment on trans-gender gun violence. She believes his comments to be demeaning,  
hateful, and false. She stated that 99 percent of all gun violence is carried out by  
heterosexual white men. She added that between May 1, 2024 and May 1, 2025, the  
Global Land Analysis and Discovery Alert System (GLAAD) tracked 932 anti-LGBTQ  
incidents in 49 U.S. states. This is the equivalent of 2.5 incidents everyday. These  
violent attacks resulted in 84 injuries and ten deaths. She stated that 52 percent of  
those attacks were against trans-gender individuals, and 63 percent of all trans-gender  
deaths in 2024 were due to gun violence.  
Kane County resident Denise Theobald stated her concerns for the Proclamation by  
the Kane County Board to honor Chris Lauzen for the 2025 Cashvest National  
Leadership Award for Financial Management. She stated that an award from a paid  
vendor raises serious questions. Theobald questioned why should the Kane County  
Treasurer receive an award for performing the duties of his office, when proclamations  
aren't issued for Sheriff's or States Attorneys. She noted that an Elected Official  
working in a governmental capacity excepting an award in public, by a hired vendor is  
inappropriate. This creates a conflict of interest, creating a pay-to-play appearance,  
and undermines the public trust. Theobald asked the Committee to vote no on the  
proclamation.  
Kane County resident and Committee Member David Young spoke on his right to  
publicly speak on topics he has issues with. He stated that he brings factual information  
to shed light on a major problem that is happening way too much in this country. Young  
fears gun violence is going to get worse, if the problem does not get solved. He also  
spoke on his concerns for voter registration policy and procedures, and requested  
more information on how the election polling system works to verify voter signatures.  
Kane County resident Cana Clark spoke on Committee Member David Young's  
statement that LGBTQ individuals are part of a culture of death and are an evil group.  
Clark stated that 54 percent of mass shootings are committed by non-trans-gender  
white men. She shared her fears of feeling safe in a community where people in charge  
spread this kind of hate.  
Kane County resident Paula Merrington addressed Committee Member David Young's  
public comment on trans-gender gun violence from a previous meeting. She believes  
his comments to be demeaning, hateful, and false. She stated that according to the  
Williams Institute, trans-gender people are over four times more likely to be the victims  
of violent crimes, and 73 percent of those are victims of gun violence. Merrington looks  
forward to Committee Member David Young's apology for his outrageous statements.  
Kane County resident Jaxson Diamond addressed Committee Member David Young's  
comments on trans-gender gun violence. She stated that Young's actions of using his  
official position to publicly target and vilify a protected group, and noted that his  
statements are a violation of the Illinois Human Rights Act 775-IL-CS5 which prohibits  
discrimination by pubic officials based on sexual orientation and gender identity.  
Diamond requested the resignation or removal of David Young from the Kane County  
Board.  
Kane County resident Sue Sokolinski stated that Public Service is a broad term that  
encompasses a wide range of public issues. She added that public service work is  
about supporting communities, serving others, and protecting the rights and interests of  
the public. Sokolinki stated her disapproval of Committee Member David Young's  
hateful comments towards Democrats and false statements about the LGBTQ  
community and they make him unworthy of serving as an elected official. She advised  
him to consider the true meaning of pubic service, and the commitment to respect,  
protect, and serve every citizen in Kane County. Sokolinski requested the resignation  
or removal of David Young from the Kane County Board.  
Kane County resident and Board Member Michael Linder stated that it is wrong to use  
Charlie Kirk's death to magnify hatred.  
Kane County resident Ginger Romano spoke on her concerns of county fiscal  
responsibility, and property tax increases.  
Kane County resident and Board Member Mavis Bates stated that she does not  
condone political violence. She stated that the act of unjustly blaming trans-gender  
people by Republicans, including one of the members on the Kane County Board, must  
stop. She stated that lying about trans-gender people committing mass-shootings  
serves two purposes for the conservative agenda. She noted that data shows that  
mass shooters are overwhelmingly straight men. According to the violence project, 97  
percent of mass shootings are committed by men. The gun violence reports state that  
out of more than 5K mass shootings, the number of trans-gender or LGBTQ plus  
suspects is less than one tenth of one percent. The people of Kane County demand  
justice and respect for all.  
Kane County resident Brian Anderson spoke on his approval for the Proclamation to  
award Chris Lauzen the Cashvest award. He encouraged the Committee to vote yes.  
Kane County resident and Board Member Bill Tarver reminded the Kane County Board  
Members who have been elected and trusted, to represent and serve all residents with  
fairness, respect, and dignity, regardless of race, religion, sexual orientation, gender  
identity, or background. He addressed Committee Member David Young's comments,  
and stated that they were explicitly trans-phobic, and hateful towards the LGBTQ  
community. Tarver believes his comments to be offensive, discriminatory,  
inflammatory, and harmful targeting LGBTQ plus residents of Kane County. He added  
that Young's comments were misrepresenting the values of the Democratic Party, and  
undermining the integrity and credibility of the Kane County Board. He believes these  
statements contribute to creating an unsafe and hostile environment for LGBTQ plus  
residents and allies, causing harm to the community for which the Board is sworn to  
represent.  
6.  
7.  
8.  
Finance  
Monthly Report  
A.  
The monthly reports are on file. No additional report was made.  
Recorder  
Monthly Report  
The monthly reports are on file. No additional report was made.  
Treasurer / Collector  
A.  
Monthly Report  
A.  
Treasurer Lauzen stated that the collection process of $1.6B is going smoothly.  
He commended his staff for all their continuous hard work, and excellent service  
they provide to Kane County citizens. Lauzen introduced the new employees at  
the Treasurer's Office including Michael Nash who is the new Financial Analyst,  
and Scott Pitol who is the new Customer Service Analyst. He is delighted to  
have them on board and looks forward to working with them.  
9.  
Supervisor of Assessments  
Monthly Report  
A.  
SOA Chief Deputy Supervisor Holly Winter stated that the monthly report is on  
file. She stated that both of the last two Board of Review Townships will be  
published by tomorrow. They will have final filing deadlines for Board of Review  
complaints on October 20, 2025.  
10.  
Regional Office of Education  
ROE Professional Development Coordinator Jordan Eggleson stated that over the past  
few years, there has been an increase in chronic absenteeism across the State of  
Illinois. This is a challenge that not only affects student learning but also school culture,  
and long-term success. In response to this issue, Eggleson stated that schools have  
been reaching out for support, as they create attendance goals within their school  
improvement plans. The ROE is working directly with teachers, multi-tiered system of  
supporters (MTSS), and administrators to implement tiered interventions aligned with  
student needs and school goals. Eggleson stated that her team is working to increase  
family engagement and improve communication around attendance. By focusing on  
prevention, connection, and alignment, this helps schools create an environment for  
students attend and feel belonged. Eggleson and Jonak addressed comments and  
questions from the Committee. Discussion ensued.  
11.  
Veteran's Assistance Commission  
Monthly Report  
A.  
B.  
VAC Supt. Zimmerman stated that a total of $7.5M in new benefits were  
collected for this fiscal year. He announced that on Monday, September 22, in  
Court Room 201 at the Kane County Judicial Center in St. Charles, there will be  
a Veteran's Treatment Court Graduation event at 3:00 p.m. Two Marines, will be  
honored for successfully completing the program.  
Proclamation Recognizing November 4-11, 2025 as Veterans’ Week in Kane  
County, Illinois  
KC Executive Committee  
RESULT:  
TO:  
MOVED FORWARD BY ROLL CALL VOTE  
KC Executive Committee  
Jon Gripe  
MOVER:  
David Young  
SECONDER:  
Jarett Sanchez, David Young, Jon Gripe, Michelle Gumz, Anita  
Lewis, and Vern Tepe  
AYE:  
Clifford Surges  
ABSENT:  
County Clerk  
12.  
Monthly Report  
A.  
Co. Clk. staff Pollock stated that the monthly report is on file. He highlighted that  
the amount of passport applications submitted are currently just under 5K. The  
County Clerk's Office is serving 10 percent more customers this year than last  
year. He addressed Committee Member Young's concerns on how the election  
poll system works to verify voter signatures. The Dir. of Elections Raymond  
Esquivel explained that the signatures originally come from the online  
registrations at the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). The signatures are  
scanned into the Clerk's Office database to use for voter's registration records.  
At an election poll, Election Judges verify a voter's identity by comparing their  
signature to one or more signatures on file. Once the poll worker verifies the  
signature, the voter can receive a ballot. Esquivel noted that in Illinois, two  
election judges from different parties compare signatures. If they don't match,  
the voter must present another form of identification. Further discussion ensued.  
13.  
Other Business  
Proclamation: By the Kane County Board Honoring Chris Lauzen for 2025  
A.  
Cashvest National Leadership Award for Financial Management  
KC Executive Committee  
RESULT:  
TO:  
MOVED FORWARD BY ROLL CALL VOTE  
KC Executive Committee  
Jon Gripe  
MOVER:  
David Young  
SECONDER:  
David Young, and Jon Gripe  
Jarett Sanchez, Anita Lewis, and Vern Tepe  
Clifford Surges  
AYE:  
NAY:  
ABSENT:  
AWAY:  
Michelle Gumz  
14.  
15.  
Executive Session (If Needed)  
None.  
Reports Placed On File  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
APPROVED BY UNANIMOUS CONSENT  
Vern Tepe  
16.  
Adjournment  
RESULT:  
APPROVED BY VOICE VOTE  
Jon Gripe  
MOVER:  
David Young  
SECONDER:  
This meeting was adjourned at 11:31 a.m.  
Rachel Santora  
Recording Secretary