Russell Cites 'Immediate Need' for Change During Bid for Coroner

A former candidate for Kane County sheriff has targeted a different elected county law-enforcement job.

, who narrowly lost to Don Kramer in the GOP primary for sheriff in 2010, announced he will seek the GOP nomination for Kane County coroner. He made the announcement Wednesday inside the PNC Bank on East Main Street in St. Charles

Citing an "immediate need," Russell said, if elected, he would audit operations, work toward professional accreditation and restore integrity to the Coroner's Office.

Current Coroner and, this month, began arguments in court that the accusations against him are unconstitutional.

Russell is the second person during August to express desire for the job. Dr. Bob Tiballi, who has an Elgin-based practice, called for West to resign in his Aug. 18 announcement speech.

Russell, a former corporal in the DuPage County Sheriff's Office with more than 15 years of law-enforcement experience, said that he felt the laws governing the conduct of elected officials were enough for the embattled coroner.

"We have laws in place, measures to take care of this type of thing," Russell said.

Russell said that the vast majority of the coroner's job relates to death investigations and includes administrative duties. About 20 percent involves autopsies and toxicology, which is contracted out. Russell's background with the Sheriff's Office included work on death investigations.

Russell lives in South Elgin with his wife and four children.