Government Center

719 S. Batavia Ave., Bldg. A

Geneva, IL 60134

Kane County

KC Jobs Committee

Meeting Minutes

LEWIS, ALLAN, Bates, Daugherty, Penesis, Strathmann, Young, ex-officios Roth (County

Vice Chair) and Pierog (County Chair)

Friday, September 12, 2025

10:30 AM

County Board Room

Call To Order

Chairman Lewis called today's meeting to order at 10:42 AM.

Roll Call

Board Member Anita Lewis

PRESENT

Board Member Deborah Allan

Board Member Mavis Bates

Board Member David Young

Ex-Officio County Board Vice Chair Bill Roth

Ex-Officio County Board Chair Corinne M. Pierog

Board Member Gary Daugherty

Board Member Ted Penesis

REMOTE

Board Member Cherryl Strathmann

Also present: Co. Bd. members Kious*, Molina*; Dev. Exec. Dir. VanKerkhoff and staff

Toth; Transportation Chief Deputy Dir. Rickert; ITD staff Kash; and members of the

press and public including Pres. of Valley Industrial Association Kathy Gilmore.

Remote Attendance Requests

Chairman Lewis announced the remote attendance requests for today's meeting. She

asked if there were any objections to Committee Members Penesis, Strathmann, and

Daugherty attending remotely. There were no objections.

Approval of Minutes: August 15, 2025

RESULT:

MOVER:

APPROVED BY UNANIMOUS CONSENT

David Young

Public Comment

Committee Member and Kane County resident David Young addressed trans-gender

violence, domestic terrorism acts, and hate crimes happening in the United States.

Young stated that these violent actions were all performed by members of the LGBTQ

group. He stated that the Democratic Party embraces this group and the culture of evil.

Young expressed his concerns on when the LGBTQ group will be denounced by

Democratic leaders.

Jobs Committee Priorities

Ad-Hoc Task Force to Discuss Government Business Policy Improvements i.e.,

Cutting Red Tape

Madam Chair Pierog stated that the Economic Development organization

interviewed a number of companies throughout Kane County. The consolidated

responses share that there are two issues with doing business in Illinois. Those

include no jurisdiction of the corporate tax rate, and the cost and expediency of

receiving a permit. She expressed concerns on how to allow tax incentives, the

impact of tax incentives, and if this is something Kane County will support.

Pierog recommended to the committee to conduct enough research and contact

the Economic Development organization for input before making any decisions.

There will be more information provided at next month's meeting.

Recognizing October as Manufacturing Month in Kane County

President of Valley Industrial Association and Greater Chicago Advanced

Manufacturing Partnership (GCAMP), Kathy Gilmore, announced that Valley

Industrial Association will be celebrating its 123rd year in business in November.

With a growing staff in the past two years, the association is one of the top five

sectors of importance for economic development in Illinois. The Valley Industrial

Association supports manufacturers and other industrial service companies, as

well as provide resources, best practices, education and support, and

connections for growth to the incumbent workforce. Gilmore noted that over 50%

GCAMP members are Kane County residents, with the partnership serving more

than 2,500 students last year. A total of 23 manufacturing tours were also

conducted last year, which resulted in outstanding recognitions of member

companies at the Annual Spark Awards Event. The award for Outstanding

Manufacturing Educator of the year went to Mark Williams from West Aurora

High School, and the Outstanding Manufacturing Student of the year award

went to Alejandro Vazquez also from West Aurora High School. Gilmore added

that one of the primary tactics of attracting youth to manufacturing is by showing

them what it looks like inside of a factory. In Kane County, there are two primary

partnerships including the Valley Education for Employment System (VALEES),

and the Northern Kane County Regional Vocational System. Gilmore announced

that Manufacturing Day (MFG) will be on Friday, October 3, 2025. This event

encourages manufacturers to host tours and events to showcase the potential of

modern manufacturing, attract skilled workers, and foster interest in

manufacturing careers among students. Lastly, Gilmore stated that the Illinois

Manufacturing Association (IMA) and the Illinois Manufacturing Excellence

Center (IMEC) partner for the Makers on the Move Bus Tour, which is a

statewide initiative that travels across Illinois to promote manufacturing careers.

The tour is an annual event during October's Manufacturing Month, featuring

numerous stops at manufacturing facilities and educational institutions. Further

discussion ensued.

KC Executive Committee

RESULT:

TO:

MOVED FORWARD BY ROLL CALL VOTE

KC Executive Committee

David Young

MOVER:

Deborah Allan

SECONDER:

Anita Lewis, Deborah Allan, Mavis Bates, Ted Penesis, Cherryl

Strathmann, and David Young

AYE:

Gary Daugherty

NAY:

Kane County Economic Development Initiatives Staff Updates

Dev. Planner Toth announced that on Wednesday, September 17 a Champions

of Workforce Kane County Celebration will be held from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

at the Fabricators and Manufacturers Association in Elgin. This event will

recognize the powerful results of collaboration, and highlight the great work

being done by the Lighthouse Manufacturing Program. This initiative supports 52

manufacturers in driving operational improvements, strengthening their

workforce, and building lasting resilience. The impacts of the program include

100% of participating companies who reported meaningful process

improvements. A total of 556 jobs were retained, 326 jobs are projected to be

created, and over 300 workers were impacted through training and placement

opportunities. This event will also include networking, panel discussions, and

opportunities to connect with the people behind these successes.Toth

referenced an article from August 25, 2025 about Richardson Electronics' plans

for a major expansion. The Re-Imagining Energy and Vehicles in Illinois program

will provide Richardson Electronics Ltd. with an estimated $8.6M in tax credits

over 20 years, while the company will retain 190 employees, and create 54 new

jobs. Richards Electronics will build upon its existing alternative energy business

to develop next-generation energy storage products that support electric grid

stability. Lastly, Toth added that the company's battery energy storage system

technology is being developed for industries such as manufacturing, health care,

and critical. infrastructure operations.

Office of Community Reinvestment - Workforce Development Division

Chairman Lewis stated that the reports presented at the Jobs Committee and the

Workforce Development are being re-evaluated. There will be more information

provided at next month's meeting. She also announced that there will be a Blue Ribbon

Cutting on Tuesday, September 30, for the installation of the Community Job Kiosks,

held at the Quad County Urban League in Aurora Illinois.

New Business

Committee Member Bates requested that there be a study of data centers in Illinois

and Kane County. She believes it is important to find out what the risks and benefits

are of data centers, and the impacts of energy and water demand will have on the

county and in Illinois.

Committee Member Young suggested that Kane County representatives set up booths

at manufacturing events like FabTech Expo or the Trade Show at McCormick Place to

promote and highlight the benefits of working in Kane County. (Committee Member

Young left at 11:45 a.m.)

Comments by Co-Chair

None.

10.

Reports Placed On File

RESULT:

MOVER:

APPROVED BY UNANIMOUS CONSENT

Mavis Bates

11.

12.

Executive Session (if needed)

None.

Adjournment

RESULT:

APPROVED BY VOICE VOTE

Mavis Bates

MOVER:

Deborah Allan

SECONDER:

This meeting was adjourned at 11:51 a.m.

Rachel Santora

Recording Secretary