Government Center  
719 S. Batavia Ave., Bldg. A  
Geneva, IL 60134  
Kane County  
County Board  
Meeting Minutes  
Monday, November 17, 2025  
9:45 AM  
County Board Room  
***SPECIAL MEETING***  
1.  
2.  
CALL TO ORDER  
The Adjourned Meeting of the Kane County Board was held at the Kane County  
Government Center, 719 S. Batavia Ave., Bldg. A, Geneva, IL 60134 on November 17,  
2025.  
Chairman Pierog called the meeting to order at 9:47 AM.  
ROLL CALL  
Board Member Deborah Allan  
Board Member Alex Arroyo  
Board Member Mavis Bates  
Board Member Jon Gripe  
PRESENT:  
Board Member Michelle Gumz  
Board Member Mo Iqbal  
Board Member Chris Kious  
Board Member Bill Lenert  
Board Member Anita Lewis  
Board Member Michael Linder  
Board Member Myrna Molina  
Board Member Ted Penesis  
Board Member Bill Roth  
Board Member Jarett Sanchez  
Board Member Cherryl Strathmann  
Board Member Bill Tarver  
Board Member Vern Tepe  
Board Member David Young  
Chairman Corinne M. Pierog  
Board Member Sonia Garcia  
Board Member Clifford Surges  
Board Member Rick Williams  
REMOTE:  
Board Member Gary Daugherty  
ABSENT:  
AWAY:  
Board Member Leslie Juby  
Also present: Sheriff Hain, Undersheriff Johnson & Chief Catich; SA Mosser; Chief of  
Civil Frank; SAO Fin. Dir. Hunt*; Animal Control Admin. Youngsteadt*; Veteran's  
Comm. Dir. Zimmerman; Clk. Ofc. Dpty. Mazzei; ITD Exec. Dir. Fahnestock & staff  
Lasky* and Peters; members of the press & public.  
3.  
4.  
5.  
REMOTE ATTENDANCE REQUESTS  
Members Garcia, Surges and Williams requested to attend this meeting remotely.  
There were no objections.  
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE & INVOCATION  
Board Member Allan led the assembly with the recital of the Pledge of Allegiance, as  
well as the invocation.  
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: October 22, 2025  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
APPROVED BY UNANIMOUS CONSENT  
Chris Kious  
6.  
PUBLIC COMMENT  
Denise Kehoe from Chicago spoke on the potential prohibition of ICE on Kane County  
property.  
Howard Miller from Batavia spoke on Resolution 25-450 regarding ICE activities in  
Kane County.  
Vilma Gatto from Batavia expressed her support for the candidacy of Mary Berman for  
the District 2 County Board vacancy.  
Dr. Ross Powell expressed concern with potential groundwater supply contamination,  
as well as flooding issues associated with a new development site in Sugar Grove.  
Dan Spellman from Geneva expressed support of Resolution 25-450 and encouraged  
others to, as well.  
Jera Piper from Sugar Grove spoke on water supply and drilling issues in Kane County.  
Joyce Heiss from North Aurora spoke in support of Mary Berman's candidacy to fill the  
District 2 vacancy.  
Carolyn Anderson from Blackberry Township expressed her concerns with well water in  
her area.  
Paige Gravitt from Blackberry Township expressed her concerns with well water data  
centers in her area.  
Bob Raimondi from Blackberry Township requested that Diane Spehar relay his  
concerns with ground water in the area, as well as its recent affects on the land.  
Wilma VanAragon from Batavia relayed a letter from Mark Guethle, endorsing Mary  
Berman as a candidate for the District 2 vacancy.  
Denise Theobald from Geneva expressed strong support of Resolution 25-450.  
KC Historian Ken Shepro shared George Santayana's quote "those who forget history  
are condemned to repeat it." He offered various comments regarding the history of  
immigration.  
7.  
8.  
CHAIRMAN'S COMMENTS  
Madam Chair announced that if anyone would like to change their recent committee  
assignment, they are welcome to discuss switching options with her.  
RESOLUTIONS, ORDINANCES, AND OTHER SCHEDULED MATTERS  
Amending Section 2-48 of the Kane County Code to Provide for  
Management of Department Heads by Committees  
A.  
25-445  
Member Iqbal presented an amended Exhibit A to add "...with the concurrence  
of County Board and its Chairman." Discussion ensued regarding the drafting  
and approval process of this particular resolution.  
RESULT:  
INFORMATIONAL ONLY  
9.  
EXECUTIVE SESSION (if needed)  
Madam Chair entertained a motion to go into closed discussion to discuss the  
appointment of a District 2 candidate. The Board entered into closed session at 10:57  
a.m.  
RESULT:  
APPROVED BY ROLL CALL VOTE  
Bill Lenert  
Jon Gripe  
MOVER:  
SECONDER:  
Mavis Bates, Sonia Garcia, Jon Gripe, Mo Iqbal, Bill Lenert, Anita  
Lewis, Michael Linder, Myrna Molina, Bill Roth, Jarett Sanchez,  
Cherryl Strathmann, Clifford Surges, Bill Tarver, Vern Tepe, and  
David Young  
AYE:  
Deborah Allan, Alex Arroyo, Michelle Gumz, Chris Kious, and  
Ted Penesis  
NAY:  
Gary Daugherty  
ABSENT:  
AWAY:  
Leslie Juby, and Rick Williams  
10.  
OPEN SESSION  
The board returned to open session at 12:04 p.m. The roll was called and a quorum  
was present.  
Appointment to Fill Vacancy on Kane County Board (District 2)  
B.  
25-449  
Madam Chair reminded the board of the county code regarding vacancies, as it  
pertains to Dale Berman's available seat. She relayed each step taken since his  
departure to fill the position appropriately. She explained her decision-making  
process and why she arrived at an endorsement for Mary Berman's candidacy.  
Members Gumz and Penesis echoed Madam Chair's endorsement, citing their  
thorough knowledge of her character and capabilities.  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
TABLED  
Jarett Sanchez  
Alex Arroyo  
SECONDER:  
Alex Arroyo, Jon Gripe, Leslie Juby, Chris Kious, Bill Lenert,  
Michael Linder, Myrna Molina, Bill Roth, Jarett Sanchez, Cherryl  
Strathmann, Clifford Surges, Bill Tarver, and Vern Tepe  
AYE:  
Deborah Allan, Mavis Bates, Sonia Garcia, Michelle Gumz, Anita  
Lewis, and Ted Penesis  
NAY:  
Gary Daugherty  
ABSENT:  
AWAY:  
Mo Iqbal, Rick Williams, and David Young  
Prohibiting the Unauthorized Use of Kane County Owned  
Parking Lots, Vacant Lots, and Garages for Civil Immigration  
Enforcement Activities and Authorizing Signage to Ensure  
Compliance with the Illinois Trust Act and Illinois Accountability  
Commission Requirements  
C.  
25-450  
Member Molina requested support in this resolution. Much discussion ensued  
regarding the legal and potentially misconstrued ramifications of passing this  
kind of resolution. Board members expressed their support, gratitude and/or  
criticism of this resolution.  
SA Mosser clarified what this resolution means for local county property.  
Member Kious referenced a Chicago Tribune article, which will be subsequently  
be added to this record.  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
APPROVED BY ROLL CALL VOTE  
Bill Tarver  
Myrna Molina  
SECONDER:  
Deborah Allan, Alex Arroyo, Mavis Bates, Sonia Garcia, Michelle  
Gumz, Leslie Juby, Chris Kious, Anita Lewis, Michael Linder,  
Myrna Molina, Ted Penesis, Jarett Sanchez, Cherryl Strathmann,  
Bill Tarver, and Vern Tepe  
AYE:  
Jon Gripe, Bill Roth, and David Young  
Gary Daugherty  
NAY:  
ABSENT:  
Clifford Surges  
ABSTAIN:  
AWAY:  
Mo Iqbal, Bill Lenert, and Rick Williams  
Authorizing Kane County’s Vote in the 2025 IMRF Trustee  
Election  
D.  
25-451  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
APPROVED BY ROLL CALL VOTE  
Ted Penesis  
Jarett Sanchez  
SECONDER:  
Deborah Allan, Alex Arroyo, Mavis Bates, Sonia Garcia, Jon  
AYE:  
Gripe, Michelle Gumz, Leslie Juby, Chris Kious, Michael Linder,  
Myrna Molina, Ted Penesis, Bill Roth, Jarett Sanchez, Cherryl  
Strathmann, Clifford Surges, and Vern Tepe  
Gary Daugherty  
ABSENT:  
AWAY:  
Mo Iqbal, Bill Lenert, Anita Lewis, Bill Tarver, Rick Williams, and  
David Young  
Authorizing the Placement of a Historical Marker and Liberty  
Tree to Honor Revolutionary War Patriots Buried in Kane County  
E.  
25-452  
Madam Chair provided a brief history of the Elm tree. Discussion ensued.  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
APPROVED BY ROLL CALL VOTE  
Bill Roth  
Michael Linder  
SECONDER:  
Deborah Allan, Alex Arroyo, Mavis Bates, Jon Gripe, Michelle  
AYE:  
Gumz, Leslie Juby, Chris Kious, Michael Linder, Myrna Molina,  
Ted Penesis, Bill Roth, Jarett Sanchez, Cherryl Strathmann,  
Clifford Surges, and Vern Tepe  
Gary Daugherty  
ABSENT:  
AWAY:  
Sonia Garcia, Mo Iqbal, Bill Lenert, Anita Lewis, Bill Tarver, Rick  
Williams, and David Young  
11.  
NEW AND UNFINISHED BUSINESS  
Madam Chair shared an excerpt from the poem entitled, "The People, Yes" by Carl  
Sandburg. Discussion ensued regarding constitution concerns from residents.  
12.  
COMMITTEE UPDATES  
Member Gumz requested permission to attend a legislative conference in February  
2026. Additionally, she highlighted that her photo submission to NACO has been  
prominently displayed on their website.  
Member Bates announced that a possible Fabyan Parkway solar field will be discussed  
at the upcoming Committee of the Whole meeting taking place on December 10, 2025  
at 12:00 p.m.  
Member Molina announced that she was invited to serve on two committees by the  
President of NACO, which included an advisory committee on immigration and  
international affairs, as well as a large urban county caucus committee. She requested  
registration fee reimbursement for the upcoming legislative and NACO conferences.  
Member Kious announced the soft opening of a satellite office for both the Health  
Department and the County Clerk's Office in Elgin. He shared an award-winning  
regional poem by his mother.  
13.  
ADJOURNMENT TO TUESDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2025  
RESULT:  
APPROVED BY VOICE VOTE  
Bill Roth  
MOVER:  
Alex Arroyo  
SECONDER:  
This meeting was adjourned at 1:02 PM.  
Christine Mazzei  
Deputy Clerk