Kane County Board Chairman Highlights Progress and Priorities in State of the County Address
Kane County Board Chairman Corinne Pierog delivered her second State of the County address Tuesday, joined by County staff and officials who highlighted the work being done across Kane County to serve residents, manage taxpayer dollars, protect natural resources, prepare for emergencies and support economic growth.
The address brought together elected officials, school leaders, business owners, chamber members and local residents. The presentation provided an overview of County government operations and initiatives, with a focus on how County programs and services reach residents throughout Kane County. The event was hosted by multiple Chambers of Commerce led by the Batavia Chamber and its President and CEO Margaret Perreault.
“Kane County enters the next decade from a position of considerable strength, but important challenges remain. Our infrastructure requires continued investment. Residents need housing they can afford. Businesses need workers. Agricultural communities need economic opportunities. And County government must remain financially sustainable."
Pierog highlighted several internal changes within county government, including departmental restructuring designed to improve efficiency, clarify responsibilities and better coordinate services.
Workforce Development and WorkNet Batavia recently welcomed a new Executive Director, Adam Schaur. Under the new leadership, WorkNet is focusing more specifically on workforce development, connecting residents with training, education and employment opportunities while helping local businesses find workers with the skills they need, according to Chairman Pierog. From July 2025 through June 2026, WorkNet assisted 2,572 Kane County residents with training and employment services.
The Development Department has expanded its responsibilities to include the Affordable Housing Fund, Grand Victoria Riverboat Funds and Community Development Block Grant programs. Bringing the programs together is intended to improve coordination among housing, infrastructure and community-development initiatives.
The Kane County Health Department also assumed oversight of the Continuum of Care program, which works to prevent and end homelessness in Kane County. The transition brings housing stability and supportive services into closer coordination with public health efforts.
Kane County also is establishing its first Ethics Commission. The commission will provide oversight intended to help ensure that county officials and employees use public authority and resources for the public good.
“These changes are part of a larger effort to move County government from reactive management toward a more unified, forward-looking approach. By aligning related programs and concentrating responsibilities, Kane County can respond more effectively to residents' needs while supporting housing stability, workforce growth, economic opportunity, community well-being and public safety," said Chairman Corinne Pierog.
Property Taxes and County Finances
Pierog pointed out that Kane County has adopted a balanced $402.9 million FY2027 budget that does not rely on dwindling cash reserves, marking the first time in several years the County has achieved a balanced budget without using reserves.
“The County's major funds, includes the General Fund tax levy, health, transportation, retirement, insurance and veterans' funds, represent approximately $64.6 million in listed levies and related funding," said Chairman Pierog. “A projected CPI increase of approximately 2.7% helps to mitigate the pressure that inflation places on County operations. A county budget is a statement of priorities. Every dollar can only be spent once. The responsibility is to protect essential services while maintaining flexibility to respond to changing circumstances."
During the State of the County presentation, Supervisor of Assessments Mark Armstrong discussed the importance of timely property tax bills and collections. Delays can cost the county interest income and require additional borrowing, which can result in added costs.
Armstrong highlighted the county's efforts to meet strict deadlines and maintain an efficient property tax system. He also referenced lessons from delayed tax collections in Cook County and the importance of timely payments to help avoid unnecessary costs.
Environmental Protection and Flood Resilience
Kane County Environmental and Water Resources Director Jodie Wollnik told audience members about efforts by the County to protect natural resources and prepare communities for environmental challenges.
The department recycled 812,000 pounds of electronics last year, along with thousands of pounds of documents and textiles. Wollnik also discussed flood resilience, including a new online tool for residents to report flooding and help identify areas that may need infrastructure improvements. Her presentation also covered recycling education, solar regulations, flood mapping and mitigation, and long-term planning to protect Kane County's water resources.
Emergency Preparedness
Scott Buziecki, Director of the Kane County Office of Emergency Management, focused on the county's emergency preparedness and response efforts.
The county launched the Disaster Ready Kane initiative in spring 2026 to build a countywide support network focused on preparing for, responding to and recovering from emergencies.
The Office of Emergency Management also continues to work with the Department of Environmental and Water Resources and local municipalities on flood resilience. Workshops and community engagement efforts are helping communities identify flood threats and maintain eligibility for federal mitigation funding.
Pierog also discussed cybersecurity threats facing critical infrastructure, particularly water and wastewater systems. She offered the County's Office of Emergency Management, Department of Environmental and Water Resources and Information Technology Department as potential resources for municipalities seeking to strengthen the security of their infrastructure, including through coordination with the federal Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency.
Planning for Growth and Supporting Agriculture
Chris Toth, Planning Division Manager with the Kane County Development and Community Services Department, discussed development, planning and growth throughout Kane County.
His presentation included the county's efforts to support agriculture and agritourism, as well as successful farming grant programs and the importance of thoughtful planning as Kane County continues to grow.
Pierog emphasized that economic development in Kane County extends beyond downtowns and commercial corridors and includes protecting the County's agricultural economy.
“Kane County sits on the western edge of the massive Chicagoland market. Yet, individual local growers rarely have the volume or the logistics network to sell directly into large school districts, hospital networks, or commercial grocery chains. Adding just 1,000 acres of fruit and vegetables into production could inject over $7 million annually and add scores of localized jobs to the County's economy," said Kane County Board Chairman Corinne Pierog.
The County also is exploring ways to help local farmers reach larger markets. A November meeting with the Kane County Farm Bureau is planned to discuss the potential development of an Agricultural Hub that could provide centralized resources for local food processing and distribution.
The proposed hub could provide infrastructure such as cold storage, washing and aggregation facilities, helping small and midsize producers reach grocery stores, schools, hospitals and other commercial markets.
Economic Development and Business Growth
Michael Cassa, CEO of the Kane County Economic Development Corporation, highlighted economic development, business growth and investment throughout Kane County.
The Kane County Economic Development Corporation is a business-led, public-private partnership designed to encourage collaboration among the county's 29 municipalities. Its work is focused on coordinating economic development resources, sharing ideas and supporting local priorities while strengthening regional economic competitiveness.
Together, the presentations provided a broad look at the county's role in supporting residents, businesses and communities across Kane County.
The State of the County address highlighted the county's efforts to manage growth and change while maintaining the character, identity and quality of life of Kane County.
