McHenry County Blog

Newly-installed(after being elected at-large) Kane County Board Chairman Chris Lauzen has included Latino Democrats as committee chairmen. All committee chairmen serve on what Kane County calls an “Executive Committee.”

The following article, written by a Kane County Friend of McHenry County Blog explains what has happened on the Committee assignment front.

Kane County Board Chairman Chris Lauzen Reorganizes County Board

Names 3 Latinos to Executive Committee, North-end majority on Transportation Committee with Maggie Auger as Committee Vice Chair

(GENEVA) — Kane County Board Chairman Chris Lauzen (R, Aurora) reorganized the Kane County Board at its meeting on Tuesday by winning approval to implementing a Bi-partisan Executive Committee which includes 3 Latino members, naming 2 to lead Kane County Board committees.

In a move to implement bi-partisanship, Chairman Lauzen named 5 Democrats to the 15 voting members of Executive Committee of the County Board.

For the first time in Kane County’s history, 3 Latinos are members of the Executive Committee.

• Dr. Monica Silva (D, Aurora) will lead the county’s Public Health Committee.
• Cristina Castro (D, Elgin) will chair the Human Services Committee.
• Board Member Jessie Vazquez (D, Aurora) is slated to Co-Chair the Legislative Committee once its organization is approved by the board in January, but his Executive Committee appointment was approved.

In a move to show the north-end of Kane County’s transportation needs merits great importance in the Lauzen administration, the county’s 7-member Transportation Committee includes Maggie Auger (R, Algonquin) as the committee’s vice chair, and Board Members T.R. Smith (R, Burlington, with district including Huntley’s Sun City), and freshmen Becky Gillam (R, West Dundee) and Joseph Haimann (D, Carpentersville). The Transportation Committee Chairman is Drew Frasz (R, Elburn), who was elected county board Vice Chairperson on Tuesday.

Additionally, Chairman Lauzen has proposed 2 additional standing committees,

• Jobs and
• Agriculture,

to address the needs of Kane County. These 2 committees, along with the Legislative Committee, will need board action at the January 15th meeting of the county board, since the committees were introduced for the first time on Tuesday.

Additionally, Chairman Lauzen has requested co-chairmen for the Jobs and the Legislative Committees.

This bi-partisan leadership is new to Kane County, and will be discussed at the next meeting of the Executive Committee.

The Chairman’s recommendations for the co-chairs of Legislative and Jobs, as well as the chair for Agriculture were named to the Executive Committee. Algonquin’s Maggie Auger is slated as the Co-chair of the Legislative Committee, and TR Smith will be named to lead the Agriculture Committee.

In another move to demonstrate Chairman Lauzen appoints the best members, regardless of tenure, freshman Board Member Kurt Kojzarek (R, Elgin) will chair the Energy & Environmental Committee.  Kojzarek, who resigned as the Elgin Township Clerk last month, will soon be moving to the Gilberts part of the 19th county board district, giving additional representation for the north-end of Kane County and one of the fastest growing communities.

The 9 standing committees plus the Executive Committee begins its work immediately.

A view of the Kane County elections from a Friend of McHenry County Blog:

“Here are a couple of items you may have heard about, including the result of creating a vacancy on the Elgin Community College (ECC) Board of Trustees.

“ECC Trustee John Dalton (D, Elgin) won election as a Circuit Judge in the 2nd subcircuit of the 16th Circuit by defeating appointed Judge John Walters (R, Elgin).

“His election will create a vacancy on the ECC Board of Trustees, as he will need to resign his trustee’s post sometime this month.

“Judge-elect Dalton was elected to the ECC board in last year’s local elections.

“The vacancy will need to be filled, and should create an unexpired term (4-year seat?) to fill in the April 9th, 2013 election for ECC Board.

“The ECC district includes all of Algonquin and parts of Lake in the Hills, [covering the same territory as District 300].

“The second ECC Trustee on the ballot yesterday, Bob Getz (D, Elgin) lost his bid for the 22nd district of the Kane County Board by a mere 18 votes to Republican Doug Scheflow in the open seat election.

“I’d anticipate a recount in that race.

“Because of Scheflow’s narrow victory (as it stands now), the composition of the Kane County Board will be 14 Republicans to 10 Democrats.

“Kane County Board Member Maggie Auger (R, Algonquin) won re-election in the 23rd district with nearly 55% of the vote over Kevin Smith (D, Lake Marian).

“In the other Kane County board election which touches a McHenry County community, Board Member T.R. Smith (R, Burlington) was re-elected to a 2nd term in the 9th district, which includes all of the Kane County portion of Huntley.”

He wasn’t at the front of the parade but the owner of Port Edward, Ed Woloweic, was the Grand Marshall.

The parade took about an hour, truncated because of construction south on Route 31.

Most of the politic entries which I try to document were fairly near the front of the parade.

But, before they arrived, a volunteer for Congressman Peter Roskam, who will, pending a political upset of tremendous proportions, represent Algonquin Township in Congress next session, was sighted passing out small bags. With candy on their minds, a lot of folks took them.

Of course, there were the members of the Algonquin Village Board.

But before the politicians came Police Chief Russ Laine.

And an entry dedicated to the Chicago Cubs.

Founder Favorite Rusty Cherbak was surrounded by a Chicago Cubs wish fulfillment contingent.

There was even a goat.  A billy goat, of course.

Then came the village politicians.

Village President John Schmidt waved.

Village Trustee Bob Smith was accompanied by Buzz Lightyear.

Village Trustee Debbie Sosine was in waving mode.

Trustee Jerrold Glogowski was one of three trustees walking the route handing out candy.

The other two were Jim Steigert and John Spella.  Handing out candy is the Algonquin Parade is easy on Route 31 because the spectators are all on the south side of the street.

The village clerk came dresses as the clown Lazy Bonz.

The first partisan politician was District 1 Republican McHenry County Board member Bob Bless.

District 1 Republican McHenry County Board members Marc Munaretto and Anna Miller were driving in a Mercedes convertible by Algonquin Township Road Commissioner Bob Miller.

I asked Munaretto, who is not running for re-election to the County Board, whether he was running for re-election for Algonquin Township Clerk.

“You’ll have to wait and see,” he replied.

That was the same answer he gave last year before for filing deadline for County Board.

There are no Democrats in District 1, but there is one in District 5–Paula Yensen.

Next came Jean and McHenry County State’s Attorney Lou Bianchi.

 McHenry County Auditor Pam Palmer followed Bianchi.

Both Bianchi and McHenry County Auditor Palmer are unopposed this fall.

Kane County politicians followed the McHenry County ones.

There were two County Board members, Hollie Lindgren and Maggie Auger.

There are always pictures that could have been.  The one below was going to be of the current and future Kane County Auditors, incumbent Bill Keck and candidate Terry Hunt.

Fortunately, I got a shot of Keck and Hunt before the parade.

“Take my picture. Take my picture,” the two members of the Eagles, a youth football team shouted as they mugged for my camera.

How could I resist?

Interrupting the parade was the girder from the World Trade Center brought by the Algonquin-Lake in the Hills Fire Protection District.

On the sides of the fire engines you can see the above sticker.

I was seated on the porch of a closed building when I way something political after a truck for the Red Run.  (The 5K is August 11th starting at Presidential Park in Algonquin.)

It was the McHenry County Republican Party entry…right at the end of the parade.

There was a banner for GOP State Rep candidate David McSweeney up front.

Right behind were people carrying Congressman Peter Roskam signs.

Then, Dave McSweeney passed me quickly.  I got his attention and he turned around so I could get the photo above.

Next came the McHenry County Republican float.

I just kept snapping my shutter, getting County Board member Nick Provenzano and County Chairman & State Rep. Mike Tryon.

Next came supporters of State Senator Dan Duffy, whose district mirrors that of David McSweeney on the eastern edges of McHenry and Kane Counties.

Next I found McHenry County Board member Robert Nowak.

And with the passing of the next entry, cheerleaders from CEE Snowball Blast Grand Champion, the Algonquin Founders Day Parade was over.

Afterward, however, the young man who had been assiduously gathering candy during the parade put on a Young Republican sticker and agreed to let me take his photograph.

= = = = =
A special note for you Sheriff’s Department watchers. The McHenry County Sheriff’s Department had no entry in the parade. Neither Sheriff Keith Nygren nor his Undersheriff Andrew Zinke was anywhere to be seen.

You know that I read politicians in parades like tea leaves.

Sometimes I just let the photos speak for themselves.

Algonquin’s Marc Avelar shared some photos he took on Saturday’s Algonquin Founders Day Parade.

The one below may speak volumes about who will be run from the GOP faction headed by McHenry County State’s Attorney Lou Bianchi.

From the picture of Bianchi in the parade, it is unclear whether Kelly was in the car. The name tag probably means she went to the luncheon at Port Edward before the parade. If so, it means she had an opportunity to meet community influentials from Algonquin. Before next spring’s primary election.

Two other countywide officials were in the parade–Pam Palmer, who is up for re-election next year, and Kathie Schultz, McHenry County Clerk. Schultz was elected last year and is in the first year of a four-year term.

All the McHenry County Board members are on the ballot next year, but I only got photos of three of them–Donna Kurtz, Anna May Miller and Marc Munaretto.

Algonquin has seen significant growth into Kane County. This year newly-elected Kane County Board member Maggie Auger was in the parade.

The list below shows the line-up for the parade. Although I don’t have a photo of newly-appointed State Rep. Kent Gaffney, his name is on the list.  So is Algonquin resident Phyllis Walters, McHenry County Recorder of Deeds.

District 1 McHenry County Board member Bob Bless’ and Robert Novak’s names also appear, but, again, I didn’t get photos of them.  Same with District 5 Board members Tina Hill and Paula Yensen.

Karen McConnaughay, the Kane County Board Chairman who is running for State Senator west of Hansen Road, is also in the parade line-up.  Another Kane County politician, State’s Attorney Joseph McMahon is also listed.

There were, of course, the Algonquin Village Board members and Carpentersville’s Mayor.

Certainly the Algonquin Village officials were in the parade. Whether the others listed for which I do not have photos took part perhaps readers can tell us in the comment section.

Then came the fire engines.

Representing Algonquin’s Kane County portion on the Kane County Board will be Maggie Auger.

She defeated Linda Nuneman 64% to 32%.

Photos and text below was supplied by a friend of McHenry County Blog:

Auger, Algonquin’s Planning & Zoning Commission Chairperson, is the first Algonquin resident to serve on Kane County Board.

Giving new meaning to Kane County’s geographic borders “from Algonquin to Aurora,” Republican Maggie Auger (R, Algonquin) won election to the Kane County Board representing the 23rd district.

Auger, who chairs the village of Algonquin’s Planning & Zoning Commission, defeated Democrat Linda Nuneman (D, Sleepy Hollow) by a nearly 2 to 1 margin, according to unofficial
returns from the Kane County Clerk’s office.

“I know I have a lot of work ahead of me. I’d like to maintain a balanced budget and improve transportation, and protect our quality of life here in Kane County, but tonight is a night to celebrate!

“I know I’ve got difficult work ahead of me,” said Auger when she addressed the Victory Night audience of nearly 60 friends, supporters and elected officials at the Barley House in Algonquin Commons.

Auger’s election made history as she will be the first resident of Algonquin to serve on the Kane County Board and the Kane County Forest Preserve District board of commissioners. The Kane County Board is divided into 26 single-portions with the county board chairman elected at largeof the villages of Carpentersville, Sleepy Hollow, West Dundee, and unincorporated Dundee Township. The 23^rd district includes all of the the Kane County portion of Algonquin, along with portions of the villages of Carpentersville, Sleepy Hollow, West Dundee, and unincorporated Dundee Township.

The following press release has been received from Maggie Auger announcing her candidacy for Kane County Board District 23.

Kane County, unlike McHenry County, has single-member districts. That allows an active candidate to knock on every door.

McHenry County has multi-member districts. Four seats are in each of six districts. Such an arrangement usually holds down minority representation. “Minority” in this case refers to Democrats. Pockets of Democratic Party strength can be expected to be mixed with stronghold areas of the Republican Party during reapportionment.

Margaret “Maggie” Auger of Algonquin continues to prepare for the upcoming campaign for Kane County Board Member for District 23

“My exploratory candidacy has been enthusiastically received by the Kane County community, and we continue to prepare for our formal announcement later this month. My campaign’s official website is up and running as of today, September 12th.

“I will be at the Dundee Township Republicans Picnic tomorrow (Sunday, September 13th) to meet and talk with voters.”

The Citizens for Maggie Auger committee was created last month, and now has its mailing address:

Citizens for Maggie Auger
PO Box 7844
Algonquin, IL 60102

In addition, Maggie’s campaign e-mail and campaign web site are up. Going forward, Maggie can be contacted directly at:

Auger expects to complete the exploratory phase of her candidacy and make an official announcement later this month. Petition filing for Kane County Board begins on October 26th and runs through November 2nd. District 23 includes all of the village of Algonquin within Kane County, as well as portions of Carpentersville, Sleepy Hollow, West Dundee and unincorporated Dundee.

For more information about Maggie, including her exemplary qualifications for Kane County Board, as well as to express your wishes to volunteer for her campaign, please check the campaign’s new website at:

Why is she running?

Here’s what her web site says:

“Now that I am done raising my children, I have the time to dedicate to the role of Kane County Board.

“With balancing the budget as a looming issue, I would like to add new insight to the review of the current budget. As in our personal lives, our county government must operate within the revenue we collect, pay as we go, ensure the revenue collected is used as efficiently as possible and plan for the future. I would be open to new ideas and would appreciate your input. The needs of the departments need to be considered along with the needs of the taxpayers.

“With other issues, including transportation, open space, controlled growth; I will listen to all sides of the issue and seek to do what is best for the taxpayers of Kane County. As an attorney, arbitrator, and Chairperson of the Planning and Zoning Commission, I have the skills and experience to listen to various sides to an issue and use that to guide in making a decision that benefits the whole. I will apply these skills and experience as a Kane County Board member.

“Please support me and vote for me on February 2, 2010.”

The following press release has been received from Algonquin’s Margaret “Maggie” Auger. She seeks the Kane County Board seat held by Republican John Noverini before he successfully ran for circuit judge as a Democrat. The seat is now held by John Mayer, who is a former Dundee Village Trustee, appointed by Republican precinct committeemen to replace Noverini when he stepped down.

ALGONQUIN – Margaret “Maggie” Auger announces her intention to explore an election bid for the Republican nomination for Kane County Board Member for District 23 in the 2010 elections.

“I am exploring the open position of Kane County Board Member for District 23. I would like to continue to serve my community as a member of the Kane County Board and look forward to learning the views of the voters of District 23.”

Auger expects to complete the exploratory phase of her candidacy and make an official announcement in September. Petition filing for Kane County Board begins on October 26th and runs through November 2nd.

Auger brings an extensive record of public service for Republican primary voters to consider in the February 2, 2010, primary election. Her service to the village of Algonquin on advisory commissions includes over 13 years of leadership as commission chairperson. Her record of 17 years with the village of Algonquin includes:

• Planning & Zoning Commission, Chairperson 1999-present
• Plan Commission 1997-1999, Chairperson 1998-1999
• Economic Development Commission 1992-1997, Chairperson 1995-1997

In addition to her service to the village government of Algonquin, Auger’s prior community service and leadership roles include:

• Jacobs High School Hockey EagleQuest Tournament Leader and Volunteer
• Algonquin Leadership School Scholarship Fund Founder and Board Member
• Jacobs High School Hockey Scholarship Committee Chair
• Founders’ Days Volunteer
• Angel Towne Park Building Project Committee Leader and Volunteer
• Leadership and volunteer activities through church, attends Willow Creek Community Church

In addition to being dedicated wife and mother and serving her community, Auger brings the credentials of a successful attorney since passing the Bar in 1983. Currently, Auger practices at a Crystal Lake law firm. Auger’s educational credentials include:

• Graduate of the Ted Spella Leadership School 2006-2007 class of the Algonquin-Lake in the Hills Chamber of Commerce
• Certified Arbitrator for the 22nd Judicial Circuit in McHenry County
• Dale Carnegie Training Course
• Juris Doctorate degree from the School of Law, Northern Illinois University, 1983

Bachelor of Science degree from Northern Illinois University with emphasis in Early Childhood Education, 1978

Appointed incumbent John Mayer did not return three phone calls.