Elections

Kane County politics: nitty, gritty, downright dirty

Wednesday’s press conference inside the Caboose’s Bar and Restaurant at the Geneva train station concluded at about 4:45 p.m., so I rushed home to write the story on deadline.

But first I had to take a shower.

OK, so I didn’t really jump under the …

Democratic candidates focus on jobs, pension reform

Democratic candidates in the new 11th Congressional District and in the 84th State House District spoke at a forum in Naperville on Monday.

Burns, Lauzen at odds over chairman’s job

While the Democratic race for Kane County Board chairman has been relatively low key, the Republican contest between Geneva Mayor Kevin Burns and longtime State Senator Chris Lauzen of Aurora has been heated from the start.

With two experienced campaigners — who are both often …

Democratic Kane chairman contenders wage low-key campaign

There are slightly more than a half-million people living in Kane County and most of them live in a city that takes care of plowing snow, repairing streets, hiring police and picking up garbage. On a typical resident’s tax bill, county government services represents about …

District 4 candidate talks economic development, keeping taxes low

In Kane County Board District 4, which includes most of Aurora’s West Side, incumbent Democrat Bonnie Lee Kunkel will face newcomer Alexis D. Cervantes in the March 20 primary. Kunkel, who has served on the board since 2004, said she is concerned with encouraging economic …

Kane GOP forum Sunday

Republican candidates for Kane County Board chairman will appear at a “Meet the Candidates” forum Sunday in Geneva. The event is sponsored by the Kane County Republican Advisory Council, along with the Kane County Republican Party and the Kane County Republican Women. The event, open …

Candidates vow to restore integrity to Kane coroner office

Republican voters in the March primary will have a decision to make in the Kane County coroner’s race — do they want someone with a medical background, or a police background, in the office? Candidates Dr. Robert Tiballi and Robert Russell have sharply different backgrounds. …

Elgin Lao organization making effort to get out community vote

ELGIN — The Lao community here and throughout the Chicago area will be making a concerted effort to have its voices heard in the next general election. To that end, the Lao American Organization of Elgin has formed a partnership with the Asian American Institute …

Roskam, McConnaughay call for Medicaid reform; Surges pushes for tax hike repeal

EAST DUNDEE — U.S. Rep. Peter Roskam said Illinois’ fiscal condition and convicted governors have made the state a national punchline. “People get a little bit of a chuckle when they think of Illinois,” the Wheaton Republican said. “It’s ridiculous.” That’s one reason why he’s …

Biggert, Foster clash over Keystone pipeline stock

Longtime U.S. Rep. Judy Biggert has been a vocal champion for the Keystone Oil pipeline that President Barack Obama has, at least for the moment, killed.

Biggert, who represents parts of Aurora and Naperville, backs the pipeline to pump oil from Canada through Nebraska to …

Cunningham changes mind, files to get back on 11th District ballot

When Jack Cunningham was tossed off the ballot a week ago for not having enough valid signatures, he seemed resigned to staying on the sidelines during in the 11th Congressional District Republican primary. “I’m an elected official and if we did it wrong, we don’t …

Candidate tossed from 11th District ballot running as write-in

A former Joliet mayoral candidate who was removed from the Republican primary ballot in the 11th Congressional District is running as a write-in candidate.

Community activist Diane Harris said she spent Tuesday and Wednesday filing paperwork in various counties so voters can write her name …

Lauzen, Burns battle over Hultgren endorsement

They’re in the same party ,but the two Republicans running for Kane County Board chairman haven’t shown much of a collegial attitude toward each other. Geneva Mayor Kevin Burns and State Sen. Chris Lauzen have pulled few punches. From his first comments at the first …

Three vying for Kane circuit clerk

Voters will decide next month whether they think Kane County’s deputy circuit court clerk, who has worked in the office for 20 years, will run it better than either of the two attorneys — both with experience on the County Board — who also have …