Taxes Divide Kane County Chairman Candidates

A divide is starting to emerge among Kane County Chairman candidates on the issue of taxes—a gap that is even splitting within party candidates.

On Monday, Republican candidates state Sen. Chris Lauzen and Geneva mayor were joined by Democrats , a former St. Charles mayor and Bill Sarto, who had previously served as mayor of Carpentersville, for a candidate forum at the Norris Cultural Arts Center in St. Charles. 

Lauzen, a staunch opponent of increasing taxes, again called for a freeze on the county’s tax levy at Monday’s forum. According to the Daily Herald, Burns  proposed an 18-month moratorium on the county’s road impact fees, which are used to pay for road construction to handle any increased transportation needs.

For the two Democrats running, the difference in opinion on taxes was more contrasted. Sarto again called for cutting the county’s property taxes, according to the Kane County Chronicle. He made a similar call earlier this month at a another candidate forum.

Klinkhamer said she believed the county should keep its current tax rate so as to avoid any potential cuts to county services, the Chronicle reports.

The forum, sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Central Kane County, brought the candidates vying for the county’s top political seat together for the second time in St. Charles.

Candidates also met on Jan. 13 at a forum sponsored by the , and Chambers of Commerce that was held in St. Charles.