[{"id":1909,"title":"Celebrating the People Behind Kane County Government","byline":"Kane County Connects Staff ","urlSlug":"KaneCountyEmployeeMilestone-2026","imageUrl":"KCC/PublishingImages/Staff%20Awards%202026%20Long%20shot.jpg","imageDescription":"From 10 years to 40 years of service, Kane County employees are making a difference every day","content":"

At a recent milestone ceremony, Kane County recognized government employees marking 10, 20, 30 and even 40 years of service; a collection of experience, knowledge and dedication representing departments across county government.

Some work directly with residents every day. Others work behind the scenes, keeping county operations running, maintaining roads, managing technology, protecting public health, supporting the justice system, responding to emergencies and providing countless other services that residents may not always see, but rely on every day.

This year's honorees include two employees, Martha “Marty" Offutt Gruber with Court Services and Colleen Cole with the Sheriff's Office, who have each devoted four decades to Kane County. Together, they represent an extraordinary depth of institutional knowledge and a shared commitment to public service. 

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“Forty years is a long time to work in one place, and Marty has witnessed the pendulum swing from the get-tough-on-crime era of the 1980s to today's focus on more individualized, evidence-based services," said Lisa Aust, Executive Director 16th Judicial Circuit Court Services.  "Throughout it all, she has remained committed to the work and to the people she serves."

Kane County Undersheriff Amy Johnson had similar praise for Cole. “For 40 years, Colleen Cole has exemplified dedication, integrity, and service to the people of Kane County. Her commitment to the Sheriff's Office has left a lasting impact on both the organization and the community. We are truly so thankful to be celebrating this milestone with her." 

Kane County thanks all of this year's milestone honorees for the time they have given, the knowledge they have shared and the many ways they have contributed to the communities they serve.

(see the gallery of photos from the event below) 

Animal Control

10 Years

Circuit Clerk

20 Years

30 Years

Coroner

10 Years

County Clerk

10 Years

Court Services — Administration/Probation

20 Years

40 Years

Court Services — Juvenile Justice Center

20 Years

Development

10 Years

20 Years

Environmental

10 Years

20 Years

Finance

10 Years

Health

10 Years

20 Years

Information Technologies

10 Years

20 Years

KaneComm

10 Years

Public Defender

10 Years

20 Years

30 Years

 

Sheriff — Adult Corrections

10 Years

20 Years

Sheriff — Sheriff

10 Years

20 Years

30 Years

40 Years

State's Attorney

10 Years

20 Years

Transportation

10 Years

20 Years

30 Years

Treasurer

10 Years

30 Years

Workforce Development

10 Years

20 Years

Thank You for Your Service

Every name on this list represents years of showing up, solving problems, helping residents and contributing to the work of Kane County Government.

To all of our milestone honorees: Congratulations, and thank you for choosing public service — and for dedicating so much of your careers to the people of Kane County.

 


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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.\"SOTC

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. (see video of the entire address below) 

“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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

​

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  https://youtu.be/DaueOrWPuxY

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The Kane County Division of Transportation has brought pavement marking work in-house, and its new paint truck is already making its mark on County roads.

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The truck, purchased this past year, requires a four-person crew: a driver, a paint-tank monitor, a person who makes sure the lines are straight and another crew member focused on safety. Together, they can paint an average of 15 to 20 miles of roadway a day.

And the new approach is saving the County money.

When the work was outsourced, the cost to the county just kept rising year after year. Doing the work in-house is estimated to bring substantial cost savings to the county. Savings that are expected to cover the cost of the new truck within its first full year of service.

“This gives us much more control over the work," says KDOT Maintenance Superintendent Mike Way.

That control matters. KDOT crews can adjust the thickness of the paint and the amount of reflective material used, helping produce markings that are designed to last longer and provide better visibility for motorists.

This year, the crew will concentrate on white pavement markings on county roads west of Route 47, Way said.

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Next year, the work will expand to include white and yellow lines as well as “hand work" such as crosswalks, stop bars and other pavement markings.

The work is expected to continue through the end of October 2026, weather permitting.

Overall , KDOT crews will apply fresh paint markings to approximately 236 miles of county highways, primarily on rural routes. Another 17 miles will receive urethane pavement markings, a more durable material used primarily on higher-traffic roads.

So, how is it done?  The work begins with a truck carrying hundreds of gallons of paint in large drums mounted on its bed. The markings can be controlled manually or automatically by an operator riding on the truck.

Paint travels through a series of hoses under air pressure and is applied to the pavement along with tiny glass beads that provide retroreflectivity, helping the lines shine brightly when illuminated by vehicle headlights.

The truck travels at about 12 mph, meaning the crew is steadily moving down the road while laying down fresh lines.

And the paint dries fast, generally in about five to seven minutes.

Trailing behind is another truck serving an important safety function to protect the crew members who ride on the lower level of the paint truck and are responsible for placing orange safety cones in work areas.

Here's the ask from drivers. If you see a big paint truck rolling slowly down a Kane County road, give it some room. There's a four-person crew behind the wheel, working to keep Kane County motorists, driving inside the lines.

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Kane County Certified Naturalists (KCCN) will welcome their 20th class in 2027, marking a milestone for the award-winning nature-education program that connects adults with Kane County's natural areas while building knowledge and skills in conservation, environmental education and community service.

Those interested in becoming part of this historic class are invited to attend a free KCCN information session on Thursday, Nov. 12, at 7 p.m. at the Stephen D. Persinger Recreation Center at 3507 Kaneville Rd., Geneva. No registration is required to attend. The session will provide an overview of KCCN, including its classes, field trips, costs, certification requirements and volunteer opportunities.

KCCN is an in-depth environmental education program for adults that combines classroom learning with hands-on field experiences in Kane County's natural areas. No formal science background is necessary — participants come from all walks of life and share an eagerness to learn more about the natural world.

The 2027 experience includes six core classes covering topics such as ecology, birds, geology, soils, prairies, insects, woodlands, mammals, watersheds, wetlands, climate and herpetology. Participants will also take part in four field trips at natural areas throughout Kane County and complete additional continuing education and/or volunteer hours to earn their Certified Naturalist certification.

KCCN students gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of Kane County's natural areas, connect with others who share an interest in nature and have opportunities to put their knowledge into action through environmental education, habitat restoration and community service.

Registration for the 2027 KCCN class opens Friday, Nov. 13, at 8 a.m. and closes Friday, Jan. 1, 2027, at 11:59 p.m. The program fee is $375 and includes six core classes, reference materials, four in-person field trips and 10 months of free “Learn from the Experts" educational opportunities.

​Kane County Certified Naturalists is a cooperative program of the Forest Preserve District of Kane County, St. Charles Park District and Geneva Park District.

 

For more information about KCCN or the Nov. 12 information session, call 630-444-3190 or email kccn@kaneforest.com.  


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