Minutes - KC Public Service Committee

Government Center

719 S. Batavia Ave., Bldg. A

Geneva, IL 60134

Kane County

KC Public Service Committee

Meeting Minutes

SANCHEZ, D. Young, Gripe, Gumz, Lewis, Surges, Tepe, ex-officios Roth (County Vice

Chair) and Pierog (County Chair)

Thursday, May 21, 2026

9:00 AM

Auditorium

Call To Order

Vice Chairman Sanchez called today's meeting to order 9:00 AM.

Roll Call

Board Member Jarett Sanchez

Board Member David Young

PRESENT

Board Member Jon Gripe

Board Member Michelle Gumz

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 Clifford Surges

REMOTE

Also present: Co. Bd. members Juby, Linder, Molina*, K. Young; Treasurer Lauzen;

SOA Armstrong; ROE Supt. Jonak and staff Algrim; VAC Supt. Zimmerman; Co. Clk.

Dir. of Tax Extension/Vital Records John Emerson, Co. Clk's Office Dir. of Elections

Raymond Esquivel; Spec. ASA Shepro; ITD/BLDG Mgmt. Exec. Dir. Fahnestock; ITD

staff Peters; and members of the press and public.

Remote Attendance Requests

Vice Chairman Young announced the remote attendance requests for today's meeting.

He asked if there were any objections to Committee Member Surges attending

remotely. There were no objections.

Approval of Minutes: April 23, 2026

RESULT:

MOVER:

APPROVED BY UNANIMOUS CONSENT

Jon Gripe

Public Comment

Kane County resident Todd Olson spoke on his concerns about a political campaign

insert that was included with the Kane County tax bills. He believes that this kind of

information that is being sent out to the public represents an abuse of power by the

Treasurer's office and by the Kane County Treasurer, Chris Lauzen. (Committee

Members Gumz and Lewis arrived at 9:04 a.m.). Olsen added that it is unethical for the

Treasurer to be exerting legally dubious influences on the upcoming election for the

Kane County Treasurer.

(Committee Chairman Sanchez arrived at 9:07 a.m. He chaired for the remainder of the

meeting.) Kane County resident Vicki Davidson-Bell expressed her concerns on what

decisions the Kane County Board Members will make regarding the corrupt actions by

Treasurer Lauzen. She spoke on her dissatisfaction for Lauzen's political insert that

was included in the Kane County tax bill. Davidson-Bell stated that the mailed tax bills

should have only included tax bill information and not a political advertisement for

himself. Lastly, she added that political figures need to be held accountable for their

actions and behavior.

Kane County resident Denise Theobald spoke on her disapproval of the political

sabotage and ongoing theatrics by Treasurer Lauzen. She noted that it was stated by

Lauzen that State's Attorney (SA) Mosser reviewed tax documents before they were

sent out to households. However, Theobald disclosed that SA Mosser publicly stated

that the campaign-style insert was not part of the documents that were submitted to her

office for review. She added that when taxpayer-funded resources are used for political

campaigns and self promotion, people view these actions as a form of corruption.

Kane County resident David Young stated that the records show that Board Member

Mavis Bates made a call-to-action from her County Board email because she

disagreed with viewpoints shared by a public speaker during public comment. He

explained the substantial damages caused by First Amendment retaliation. He stated

that in the U.S. Constitution, the First Amendment provides that Congress shall make

no law of bridging the freedom of speech. This means that the Government is

prohibited from punishing or censoring individuals for what they say. He noted that First

Amendment retaliation refers to adverse actions taken by a government official in

response to an individuals' exercise of their First Amendment rights. Lastly, Young

warned Board Member Bates about committing First Amendment retaliation when

engaging through her county email to make a call-to-action against a public official or a

private citizen.

Finance

Monthly Report

The monthly report is on file. No additional report was made.

Recorder

Monthly Report

The monthly report is on file. No additional report was made.

Treasurer / Collector

Monthly Report

Kane County (KC) Treasurer Lauzen stated that the monthly report is on file. He

stated that the KC Treasurer's Office has distributed more than $8.7M in interest

income to nearly 300 local taxing bodies across Kane County between 2021 and

2025. He highlighted that the Treasurer's Office is responsible for the collection,

safeguarding and distribution of more than $1.7B in property tax revenue each

year, and serving approximately 500K residents, 200K property taxpayers.

Lastly, Lauzen noted that the core responsibility of the KC Treasurer's Office is

to ensure that every dollar of public money held in trust is managed with

discipline and care. Discussion ensued.

Supervisor of Assessments

Monthly Report

Supervisor of Assessments (SOA) Armstrong stated the monthly report is on file.

He stated that at this time he anticipates all township assessment rolls for the

2026 year to be certified by his office no later than the statutory deadline of June

15, 2026. He reviewed the monthly year-to-date summaries of work performed

by the Kane County Assessment Office during the previous month compared to

the prior year. Armstrong noted that the United States Department of Justice

made their final rule to update its regulations for Title II of the Americans with

Disabilities Act and address the accessibility of web content and mobile

applications for individuals with disabilities. The original date for compliance was

April 24, 2026, however, that date has been pushed back to April 24, 2027.

Armstrong explained that the biggest challenge that remains is updating

application forms for exemptions and assessment complaints.

10.

Regional Office of Education

FY2027 Budget Presentation

Regional Office of Education (ROE) Supt., John Jonak, stated that the ROE's

mission is to advocate for education, provide leadership, perform regulatory

functions, and coordinate state and local services for educators, school districts

and the community. As of May 2026, there were a total of 2,074 bus drivers

trained and 3,318 people fingerprinted. As of April 2026, there were a total of

2,381 school and home truancy visits and 251 high school equivalency exams

administered. Jonak presented the FY2027 Budget Presentation. He highlighted

that all ROE funding is allocated to personnel. He stated that the ROE

department is navigating county-wide budget mandates including reducing its

expenses by 5%. He pointed out that the ROE department applied and was

approved for a Riverboat grant fund in order to continue providing services to the

community. An update on this grant will be provided at the next meeting. Jonak

highlighted that the 50th Annual Educator of the Year event was on Friday, May

1. Noemi Hernandez, a first-grade Dual Language teacher at Washington

Elementary School in School District U-46, was named the overall 2026 Kane

County Educator of the year.

ROE Asst. Supt., Kathleen Algrim, stated that on Wednesday, May 13, she and

Jonak visited Thompson Middle School in St. Charles for the celebration of their

100th year. The community event featured food trucks, live music, inflatables,

therapy ponies, and a commemorative drone photo on the football field.

ROE Supt., John Jonak, stated that he visited the Iron Paw restaurant at East

Aurora High School which is a student-run restaurant and culinary arts training

kitchen. He highlighted that the restaurant serves as an instructional facility

where high school culinary students, under the guidance of Chef Kristin

Doucette, prepare and serve meals for staff and students. Jonak stated that he

was very pleased with the food and the fantastic service by the students.

11.

Veteran's Assistance Commission

Monthly Report

Kane County Veterans Assistance Commission (VAC) Supt., Zimmerman,

stated that the monthly report was on file. He stated that compensation and

pending claims are trending faster than the average. He noted that at the end of

March there were a total of 198 claims pending, and over $4.2M of benefits were

collected. Zimmerman stated that earlier this month the Kane County Sheriff's

Office and the VAC collaborated to host specialized interventions and post

traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) training sessions for law enforcement and first

responders. The training is designed to help officers recognize PTSD symptoms,

utilize de-escalation strategies, and connect struggling military veterans with

local VA resources.

FY2027 Budget Presentation

Veterans Assistance Commission (VAC) Supt. Zimmerman presented the

FY2027 Budget Presentation. He highlighted the department work chart which

includes a total of five employees. He noted that the County is required to fund

the VAC at 0.02% of the last known equalized assessed value (EAV) of the

county, unless the VAC requests less. The total proposed FY2027 budget

amount is $673,379.00, with the total savings to the County in the amount of

$4,116,741.10. Lastly, Zimmerman stated that in 2025 there was a total of

$9.7M in new benefits awarded to veterans.

12.

County Clerk

Monthly Report

Co. Clk. Dir. of Tax Extension/Vital Records John Emerson stated that the

reports are on file. He highlighted that Kane County birth rates have increased

with a total of 74 births reported. The overall death rates continue to show a

downward trend, with premature death rates dropping significantly.

Co. Clk's Office Dir. of Elections Raymond Esquivel stated that the Clerk's Office

is currently focused on administering upcoming election cycles. Following the

spring primary, candidates for local offices are preparing for the general election.

He noted that the office recently issued and mailed new voter registration cards

to all registered voters in the county. He stated that it is important for all

residents to update their addresses and confirm accurate voting records for

upcoming elections. Lastly, Esquivel announced that early voting and Grace

Period registration for upcoming election cycles will start in the fall at both the

main office and the Aurora satellite facility.

Authorizing an Agreement for the Design and Construction of a Digital

Monument Sign with Aurora Sign Company (RFP# 26-027-TK)

ITD/BLDG Mgmt. Exec. Dir. Fahnestock introduced the resolution. He stated

that the County of Kane issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) for the design,

fabrication, and installation of a Digital Monument Sign at the Kane County

Government Center located in Geneva. He added that the project is intended to

modernize the County's existing monument sign and improve community

communication and outreach by providing a dynamic platform for public notices,

election information, community updates, and county announcements.

ITD/BLDG Mgmt. Exec. Dir. Fahnestock stated that due to this project being

developed on county property, the Administration Committee has a responsibility

to assess property and land use. He requested that an amendment be made to

the committee flow for the resolution to pass at the June 10 Administration

Committee first before sending it to the Executive Committee.

An amendment was made to move the committee flow of the resolution on a

motion made by Gumz, seconded by Roth. Motion passed unanimously by voice

vote. A motion to pass the amended resolution was made by Roth, seconded by

Gripe. Motion carried unanimously by roll call vote. Motion passed.

KC Administration Committee

RESULT:

TO:

MOVED FORWARD BY ROLL CALL VOTE

KC Administration Committee

Bill Roth

MOVER:

Jon Gripe

SECONDER:

Jarett Sanchez, David Young, Jon Gripe, Michelle Gumz, Clifford

Surges, Vern Tepe, and Bill Roth

AYE:

Anita Lewis

NAY:

Corinne M. Pierog

ABSENT:

13.

14.

Other Business

None.

Executive Session (If Needed)

None.