Government Center  
719 S. Batavia Ave., Bldg. A  
Geneva, IL 60134  
Kane County  
KC Public Service Committee  
Meeting Minutes  
SANCHEZ, Young, Gumz, Lewis, Surges, Tepe, Williams & Pierog (ex-offico Chair)  
Thursday, March 21, 2024 9:00 AM County Board Room  
1.  
2.  
Call To Order  
Committee Chairman Sanchez called today's meeting to order at 9:00 a.m.  
Roll Call  
Board Member Jarett Sanchez  
Board Member David Young  
Board Member Anita Lewis  
Board Member Clifford Surges  
Board Member Vern Tepe  
Board Member Rick Williams  
PRESENT  
Board Member Michelle Gumz  
REMOTE  
ABSENT  
Ex-Officio County Board Chair Corinne M. Pierog  
Also present: Co. Bd. members Bates*, Kious*, Molina*, Roth, Strathmann*; KCAC  
Youngsteadt*; Treasurer Lauzen; Sup. of Assessments Armstrong; ROE Supt. Dal  
Santo & staff Oliver; Co. Clk. staff Pollock; VAC Supt. Zimmerman; ASA Spec. Shepro;  
ITD staff Peters; and members of the press and public.  
3.  
4.  
Remote Attendance Requests  
Committee 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 today's meeting remotely. There were no objections.  
Approval of Minutes: February 22, 2024  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
APPROVED BY UNANIMOUS CONSENT  
Vern Tepe  
5.  
Public Comment (Agenda Items)  
Kane County resident Michelle Bettag shared her concerns about the outbreak of  
illegal immigrants invading the country and county. She stressed to the Committee that  
our elections and Kane County citizens need to be protected. (Committee Member  
Surges arrived at 9:05 a.m.)  
Kane County resident Cathy Fiesburg expressed her concerns and opposition on illegal  
immigrants being able to vote. She stressed to the Committee that there needs to be a  
county sanctuary policy put in place before giving illegal immigrants any privileges.  
Kane County resident Brian Anderson shared his opposition and concerns on  
non-citizens having the right to vote. He stated that there are rights that born and raised  
American citizens have, that non-citizens do not have.  
Kane County resident Frank Esposito shared his concerns on illegal immigrants being  
able to vote. He stated that immigrants need to be coming to this country the legal way  
before given that privilege.  
Dennis Syllar indicated the effects illegal immigrants will have on the Census counts  
nationally for this year.  
Kim Sieber shared her opposition on giving illegal immigrants the right to vote.  
6.  
7.  
Public Comment (Non-Agenda Items)  
None.  
Finance  
Monthly Finance Reports (attached)  
The monthly reports are on file.  
A.  
8.  
9.  
Recorder  
Monthly Report (attached)  
The monthly report is on file.  
Treasurer / Collector  
Monthly Report (attached)  
A.  
A.  
Treasurer Lauzen stated that the monthly report for collections was submitted.  
The process of collecting $1.5B of property taxes from 195K property tax payers  
from individual parcels continues.  
10.  
Supervisor of Assessments  
Monthly Report (attached)  
A.  
Sup. of Assessments Armstrong stated that the 2024 applications for low  
income senior citizen assessment freeze homestead exemptions were mailed  
out. Last month, there were 61 senior freeze applications processed for 2023.  
Armstrong noted that the senior citizen exemption reduces the tax base by  
$179M, with a 1.03 increase in Kane County's tax rate.  
11.  
Regional Office of Education  
ROE Supt. Dal Santo reminded the Committee that the Annual Educator of the Year  
banquet will be on Friday, May 3, 2024 to honor all of the educators in the county.  
There are 57 nominees this year. Assistant ROE Supt. Oliver stated that her team  
provides a 12-month education program, that includes 300 minutes a day to students at  
the Juvenile Justice Center.  
12.  
Veteran's Assistance Commission  
Monthly Report (attached)  
A.  
VAC Supt. Zimmerman stated that Veterans received $836K in new benefits for  
the month of January. He noted that on Monday, April 22, 2024 at 3 p.m. there  
will be a Veteran's Treatment Court Graduation in courtroom 201 at the Judicial  
Center. On Friday, April 26, 2024 at Elgin Community College at Building E,  
there will be a table set up for the Senior Health and Wellness fair. Lastly,  
Zimmerman announced that the Village of South Elgin began selling engraved  
bricks for the Veteran's Plaza as part of the new Police station. The bricks sell  
for $75.  
Acknowledging Annual Review of Number of Procurement Cards Issued to the  
Kane County Veteran’s Assistance Commission and Each of their Transactions  
B.  
KC Finance and Budget Committee  
RESULT:  
TO:  
MOVED FORWARD BY ROLL CALL VOTE  
KC Finance and Budget Committee  
David Young  
MOVER:  
Clifford Surges  
SECONDER:  
Jarett Sanchez, David Young, Michelle Gumz, Anita Lewis,  
Clifford Surges, Vern Tepe, and Rick Williams  
AYE:  
Corinne M. Pierog  
ABSENT:  
County Clerk  
13.  
Monthly Report (attached)  
A.  
Co. Clk. staff Pollock stated that monthly reports are on file. He announced that  
there are a total of 5,600 outstanding vote-by-mail ballots. The new voting  
machines were a success. Voters gave positive feedback on having the option  
to vote from anywhere. Pollock stated that the County Clerk's Office is in the  
process of extending tax bills, calculating the rates, and sending to the  
Treasurer's office. Pollock addressed questions and comments from the  
Committee. Much discussion ensued.  
Acknowledging Annual Review of Number of Procurement Cards Issued to the  
Kane County Clerk’s Office and Each of their Transaction Limits  
B.  
KC Finance and Budget Committee  
RESULT:  
TO:  
MOVED FORWARD BY ROLL CALL VOTE  
KC Finance and Budget Committee  
David Young  
MOVER:  
Rick Williams  
SECONDER:  
Jarett Sanchez, David Young, Michelle Gumz, Anita Lewis,  
Clifford Surges, Vern Tepe, and Rick Williams  
AYE:  
Corinne M. Pierog  
ABSENT:  
14.  
Other Business  
A Proclamation by the Kane County Board Opposing Non-Citizen Voting  
A.  
Chairman Sanchez presented this Proclamation. Committee Member Gumz  
made a motion to table the proclamation. Committee Member Tepe seconded.  
The motion carried by roll call vote failed.  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
APPROVED BY ROLL CALL VOTE  
Rick Williams  
Clifford Surges  
SECONDER:  
David Young, Anita Lewis, Clifford Surges, and Rick Williams  
Jarett Sanchez, Michelle Gumz, and Vern Tepe  
Corinne M. Pierog  
AYE:  
NAY:  
ABSENT:  
15.  
Executive Session (If Needed)  
None.  
16.  
17.  
Reports Placed On File  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
APPROVED BY UNANIMOUS CONSENT  
Vern Tepe  
Adjournment  
RESULT:  
APPROVED BY VOICE VOTE  
Rick Williams  
David Young  
MOVER:  
SECONDER:  
This meeting was adjourned at 10:31 a.m.  
Rachel Santora  
Recording Secretary