WEBVTT
00:00:05.080 --> 00:00:09.560
Under Sheriff Johnson, ex Coroner Russell, seek to be Cain's next Sheriff.
00:00:12.860 --> 00:00:16.460
This article is being read by an automated voice brought to you
00:00:16.460 --> 00:00:22.150
by Everlett. Opponents in the race for Kane County Sheriff Amy Johnson
00:00:22.150 --> 00:00:26.630
and Rob Russell offered their platforms recently at a candidate forum hosted
00:00:26.630 --> 00:00:31.090
by the League of Women Voters of Central Kane County. Johnson, a
00:00:31.090 --> 00:00:34.690
Democrat, is currently leading the office as Sheriff Ron Haine is on
00:00:34.690 --> 00:00:39.010
medical leave. Russell, a Republican, is a retired DuPage County deputy and
00:00:39.010 --> 00:00:42.530
served three terms as coroner. He lost his bid for a fourth
00:00:42.530 --> 00:00:48.300
term in 2024 to Monica Silva. I'm running for Kane County Sheriff
00:00:48.300 --> 00:00:53.180
because I believe the Sheriff's office deserves experienced leadership that understands every
00:00:53.180 --> 00:00:55.660
aspect of this job, Johnson
00:00:55.660 --> 00:00:59.930
said, The sheriff is responsible for much more than law enforcement. The
00:00:59.930 --> 00:01:05.290
office oversees public safety operations, a 24-hour jail, court security, in six
00:01:05.290 --> 00:01:11.050
courthouses, inmate transportation, budgeting, labor relations, and compliance with growing state and
00:01:11.050 --> 00:01:17.150
federal mandates. Johnson said, throughout her career, she's been part of complex
00:01:17.150 --> 00:01:23.070
situations in public safety operations, managed personnel and budgets, implemented new initiatives,
00:01:23.150 --> 00:01:28.530
and worked collaboratively across the divisions of the Sheriff's Office. Those experiences
00:01:28.530 --> 00:01:33.730
have reinforced that effective public safety can depends on strong leadership, accountability,
00:01:34.050 --> 00:01:39.330
transparency, and the responsible use of taxpayer dollars, Johnson said. I am
00:01:39.330 --> 00:01:43.330
not running to make promises, I am running to provide proven leadership,
00:01:43.570 --> 00:01:47.730
measurable results, and a commitment to serving every resident of Kane County
00:01:47.730 --> 00:01:50.770
with integrity and respect. Russell said.
00:01:50.770 --> 00:01:54.290
He is running for sheriff because I believe the people of Kane
00:01:54.290 --> 00:01:59.490
County deserve a sheriff's office that is professionally led, transparent, accountable, and
00:01:59.490 --> 00:02:03.850
focused on public safety. I bring more than thirty-three years of law
00:02:03.850 --> 00:02:08.810
enforcement experience, including twenty years as a county sheriff's deputy, Russell
00:02:08.810 --> 00:02:12.520
said I worked my way through the ranks and retired as sergeant.
00:02:12.680 --> 00:02:16.440
I've also served Kane County as coroner, where I was brought in
00:02:16.440 --> 00:02:20.520
to solve problems, improve operations, and make the office more efficient and
00:02:20.520 --> 00:02:25.560
accountable, Russell said. I'm running for sheriff because I believe Kane County.
00:02:25.560 --> 00:02:30.570
Needs that same kind of leadership today. Russell said his priorities are
00:02:30.570 --> 00:02:33.850
to put the right people in the right positions, support the deputies,
00:02:34.010 --> 00:02:39.850
protect taxpayer dollars, improve transparency, and restore confidence in the Sheriff's Office.
00:02:40.350 --> 00:02:43.710
I'm not running simply to hold a title, I'm running to lead,
00:02:44.030 --> 00:02:45.070
Russell said.
00:02:45.310 --> 00:02:48.350
I have the experience, I have the leadership background, and I'm ready
00:02:48.350 --> 00:02:51.470
to get to work for the people of Kane County. Top issues
00:02:51.640 --> 00:02:55.720
A top issue for Russell is the need to keep combating drug-related
00:02:55.720 --> 00:02:59.960
crimes, especially fentanyl, which is part of a group of synthetic drugs
00:02:59.960 --> 00:03:04.040
known as opioids that can be addictive and lead to overdose deaths.
00:03:04.370 --> 00:03:10.450
Drug trafficking fuels, addiction, overdoses, theft, violence, and other crimes affecting Kane
00:03:10.450 --> 00:03:14.920
County families and communities, Russell said. Russell said he would bring his
00:03:14.920 --> 00:03:20.760
experience to develop a coordinated strategy to disrupt trafficking networks and improve
00:03:20.760 --> 00:03:25.920
intelligence sharing to target drug traffickers. Prevention and treatment must also be
00:03:25.920 --> 00:03:30.400
part of that solution, Russell said. My experience improving and streamlining the
00:03:30.400 --> 00:03:35.760
coroner's office has prepared me to strengthen operations, improve communication, and use
00:03:35.760 --> 00:03:41.890
public resources effectively. For Johnson, top pri priorities are fiscal responsibility
00:03:41.890 --> 00:03:44.850
and maintaining the budget, community safety, recruitment
00:03:44.850 --> 00:03:49.300
and retention, We wants to be transparent and we want to speak
00:03:49.300 --> 00:03:52.020
from the heart on what's going on, so you all know where
00:03:52.020 --> 00:03:55.300
your money's going and what we're spending it on, Johnson
00:03:55.300 --> 00:04:00.350
said Community affects everyone, no matter whether they are in the incorporated
00:04:00.350 --> 00:04:05.670
or unincorporated areas, Johnson said. We want to listen, whether it's narcotics,
00:04:05.830 --> 00:04:09.830
whether it's sex assaults, whether it's burglaries to motor vehicles, whether it's
00:04:09.830 --> 00:04:15.190
all of these other things, telephone harassment, senior citizen scams, we are
00:04:15.190 --> 00:04:18.370
listening, Johnson said. As for recruiting
00:04:18.370 --> 00:04:21.810
and retention, Johnson said she want to make sure that those who
00:04:21.810 --> 00:04:26.930
work well within the neighborhoods, deputies, corrections officers, and court security have
00:04:26.930 --> 00:04:30.930
the tools, but also the stability moving forward, to make everything safe
00:04:30.930 --> 00:04:33.360
and secure. Johnson said.
00:04:33.360 --> 00:04:37.360
The office is currently building on those priorities to make recruitment and
00:04:37.360 --> 00:04:43.150
retention available for all generations moving ahead. The office has a lateral
00:04:43.150 --> 00:04:47.630
program, she said, so employees can move from public safety to corrections
00:04:47.630 --> 00:04:52.690
or from court security to corrections. The office reduces barriers through its
00:04:52.690 --> 00:04:58.450
Cadet and Explorer program, she said. Russell said recruiting and retaining deputies
00:04:58.450 --> 00:05:03.410
starts with building a professional, respectful, and mission-driven department where people want
00:05:03.410 --> 00:05:08.100
to serve and built a career. To recruit the best candidates, we
00:05:08.100 --> 00:05:12.660
need to reach people where they are through local schools, colleges, military
00:05:12.660 --> 00:05:18.740
and veteran organizations, public safety programs, and community outreach, Russell said We
00:05:18.740 --> 00:05:22.420
should clearly communicate the opportunities available in the sheriff’s
00:05:22.420 --> 00:05:27.940
office including competitive pay and benefits, career advancement, specialized training, and the
00:05:27.940 --> 00:05:33.100
chance to make a meaningful difference in Kane County, Russell said. Retention,
00:05:33.260 --> 00:05:38.060
Russell said, is as important as recruitment as deputies need, fair compensation,
00:05:38.220 --> 00:05:43.580
reliable equipment, strong training, opportunities for advancement, and leadership that listens to
00:05:43.580 --> 00:05:48.770
them and supports them. We should also prioritize wellness, mental health resources,
00:05:48.930 --> 00:05:54.370
mental health resources, reasonable scheduling, and a workplace culture built on professionalism,
00:05:54.530 --> 00:05:58.930
accountability, and respect, Russell said. My goal would be to build a
00:05:58.930 --> 00:06:02.930
department where people are proud to serve. Training, To a question about
00:06:02.930 --> 00:06:07.410
what training should be provided that is not currently required, Russell said
00:06:07.410 --> 00:06:11.330
mental health support is a priority as he has lost friends who
00:06:11.330 --> 00:06:14.870
have taken their own lives. There's so much to a sheriff’s
00:06:14.870 --> 00:06:17.750
office’s and to a career in law enforcement that people like to
00:06:17.750 --> 00:06:21.670
keep inside, Russell said. They have to have avenues to get that
00:06:21.670 --> 00:06:26.590
out. Otherwise they may not make it through their entire career. Johnson
00:06:26.590 --> 00:06:27.470
said. To remember, the
00:06:27.470 --> 00:06:32.350
sheriff’s office is in charge of public safety, corrections and court security.
00:06:32.840 --> 00:06:37.240
We can say mental health, or we can say victim advocacy, Johnson
00:06:37.240 --> 00:06:37.480
said.
00:06:37.720 --> 00:06:41.240
But there's one also that goes through, and it's the understanding of
00:06:41.240 --> 00:06:44.920
not only the humanization of where we're at, but also the critical
00:06:44.920 --> 00:06:50.200
elements of leadership. The issue is not only policies and procedures that
00:06:50.200 --> 00:06:53.560
build upon leaders, but not taking enough time right now to go
00:06:53.560 --> 00:06:55.880
through a mentorship program, Johnson said.
00:06:56.410 --> 00:07:01.130
The officers worked on it with its crisis intervention team, training, mental
00:07:01.130 --> 00:07:07.180
health awareness, and the department's wellness coordinator, Johnson said. Regarding the Sheriff's
00:07:07.180 --> 00:07:11.580
Office's role in supporting women who experience domestic abuse and sexual assault,
00:07:11.820 --> 00:07:16.590
Johnson said the office should play a huge role. State's attorney, Jamie
00:07:16.590 --> 00:07:21.150
Mosser, myself, and former Sheriff Pat Perez did a domestic violence unit,
00:07:21.310 --> 00:07:24.990
the first ever in Kane County history, Johnson said. We are slowly
00:07:24.990 --> 00:07:30.120
and surely having a voice for women, but also males. Johnson said
00:07:30.120 --> 00:07:30.920
the sheriff’s
00:07:30.920 --> 00:07:34.120
office will be there from start to finish and after the fact.
00:07:34.610 --> 00:07:38.370
That's what the Sheriff's Office should be, a support structure on your
00:07:38.370 --> 00:07:43.210
darkest times, Johnson said. Russell agreed the office should have a huge
00:07:43.210 --> 00:07:47.750
role in responding to domestic abuse and sexual assault. I came from
00:07:47.750 --> 00:07:49.030
DuPage County.
00:07:49.110 --> 00:07:52.630
And when we had a domestic call, whether there was a verbal,
00:07:52.710 --> 00:07:57.430
domestic or actually a domestic battery, we called the domestic advocate and
00:07:57.430 --> 00:08:01.660
we started working with them immediately, Russell said. Police officers can do
00:08:01.660 --> 00:08:05.420
a lot to calm a situation, but further care needs to happen
00:08:05.420 --> 00:08:09.180
with people who know how to do it better, Russell said. Also
00:08:09.180 --> 00:08:12.220
helping people get to the state's attorney's office to get an order
00:08:12.220 --> 00:08:17.320
of protection when it's necessary without delay. Russell said he didn't mean
00:08:17.320 --> 00:08:20.600
to be critical, but one thing we cannot do is mention victims
00:08:20.600 --> 00:08:24.120
in press releases. And that just happened. I called for that to
00:08:24.120 --> 00:08:28.040
be removed. It still has not been removed. We can't put people's
00:08:28.040 --> 00:08:33.280
names out there. Russell was referring to an August 25 Sheriff's Office
00:08:33.280 --> 00:08:37.120
press release on its Facebook page that named a victim of domestic
00:08:37.120 --> 00:08:42.800
battery. Negativity often appears when a campaign lacks substance. Johnson wrote in
00:08:42.800 --> 00:08:46.800
a text response to a request for comment. I'm committed to staying
00:08:46.800 --> 00:08:50.640
focused on public safety, accountability, and the issues that matter in Kane
00:08:50.640 --> 00:08:56.560
County. A recording of the candidate forum is available online at www.youtube.com.
00:00:05.080 --> 00:00:09.560
Under Sheriff Johnson, ex Coroner Russell, seek to be Cain's next Sheriff.
00:00:12.860 --> 00:00:16.460
This article is being read by an automated voice brought to you
00:00:16.460 --> 00:00:22.150
by Everlett. Opponents in the race for Kane County Sheriff Amy Johnson
00:00:22.150 --> 00:00:26.630
and Rob Russell offered their platforms recently at a candidate forum hosted
00:00:26.630 --> 00:00:31.090
by the League of Women Voters of Central Kane County. Johnson, a
00:00:31.090 --> 00:00:34.690
Democrat, is currently leading the office as Sheriff Ron Haine is on
00:00:34.690 --> 00:00:39.010
medical leave. Russell, a Republican, is a retired DuPage County deputy and
00:00:39.010 --> 00:00:42.530
served three terms as coroner. He lost his bid for a fourth
00:00:42.530 --> 00:00:48.300
term in 2024 to Monica Silva. I'm running for Kane County Sheriff
00:00:48.300 --> 00:00:53.180
because I believe the Sheriff's office deserves experienced leadership that understands every
00:00:53.180 --> 00:00:55.660
aspect of this job, Johnson
00:00:55.660 --> 00:00:59.930
said, The sheriff is responsible for much more than law enforcement. The
00:00:59.930 --> 00:01:05.290
office oversees public safety operations, a 24-hour jail, court security, in six
00:01:05.290 --> 00:01:11.050
courthouses, inmate transportation, budgeting, labor relations, and compliance with growing state and
00:01:11.050 --> 00:01:17.150
federal mandates. Johnson said, throughout her career, she's been part of complex
00:01:17.150 --> 00:01:23.070
situations in public safety operations, managed personnel and budgets, implemented new initiatives,
00:01:23.150 --> 00:01:28.530
and worked collaboratively across the divisions of the Sheriff's Office. Those experiences
00:01:28.530 --> 00:01:33.730
have reinforced that effective public safety can depends on strong leadership, accountability,
00:01:34.050 --> 00:01:39.330
transparency, and the responsible use of taxpayer dollars, Johnson said. I am
00:01:39.330 --> 00:01:43.330
not running to make promises, I am running to provide proven leadership,
00:01:43.570 --> 00:01:47.730
measurable results, and a commitment to serving every resident of Kane County
00:01:47.730 --> 00:01:50.770
with integrity and respect. Russell said.
00:01:50.770 --> 00:01:54.290
He is running for sheriff because I believe the people of Kane
00:01:54.290 --> 00:01:59.490
County deserve a sheriff's office that is professionally led, transparent, accountable, and
00:01:59.490 --> 00:02:03.850
focused on public safety. I bring more than thirty-three years of law
00:02:03.850 --> 00:02:08.810
enforcement experience, including twenty years as a county sheriff's deputy, Russell
00:02:08.810 --> 00:02:12.520
said I worked my way through the ranks and retired as sergeant.
00:02:12.680 --> 00:02:16.440
I've also served Kane County as coroner, where I was brought in
00:02:16.440 --> 00:02:20.520
to solve problems, improve operations, and make the office more efficient and
00:02:20.520 --> 00:02:25.560
accountable, Russell said. I'm running for sheriff because I believe Kane County.
00:02:25.560 --> 00:02:30.570
Needs that same kind of leadership today. Russell said his priorities are
00:02:30.570 --> 00:02:33.850
to put the right people in the right positions, support the deputies,
00:02:34.010 --> 00:02:39.850
protect taxpayer dollars, improve transparency, and restore confidence in the Sheriff's Office.
00:02:40.350 --> 00:02:43.710
I'm not running simply to hold a title, I'm running to lead,
00:02:44.030 --> 00:02:45.070
Russell said.
00:02:45.310 --> 00:02:48.350
I have the experience, I have the leadership background, and I'm ready
00:02:48.350 --> 00:02:51.470
to get to work for the people of Kane County. Top issues
00:02:51.640 --> 00:02:55.720
A top issue for Russell is the need to keep combating drug-related
00:02:55.720 --> 00:02:59.960
crimes, especially fentanyl, which is part of a group of synthetic drugs
00:02:59.960 --> 00:03:04.040
known as opioids that can be addictive and lead to overdose deaths.
00:03:04.370 --> 00:03:10.450
Drug trafficking fuels, addiction, overdoses, theft, violence, and other crimes affecting Kane
00:03:10.450 --> 00:03:14.920
County families and communities, Russell said. Russell said he would bring his
00:03:14.920 --> 00:03:20.760
experience to develop a coordinated strategy to disrupt trafficking networks and improve
00:03:20.760 --> 00:03:25.920
intelligence sharing to target drug traffickers. Prevention and treatment must also be
00:03:25.920 --> 00:03:30.400
part of that solution, Russell said. My experience improving and streamlining the
00:03:30.400 --> 00:03:35.760
coroner's office has prepared me to strengthen operations, improve communication, and use
00:03:35.760 --> 00:03:41.890
public resources effectively. For Johnson, top pri priorities are fiscal responsibility
00:03:41.890 --> 00:03:44.850
and maintaining the budget, community safety, recruitment
00:03:44.850 --> 00:03:49.300
and retention, We wants to be transparent and we want to speak
00:03:49.300 --> 00:03:52.020
from the heart on what's going on, so you all know where
00:03:52.020 --> 00:03:55.300
your money's going and what we're spending it on, Johnson
00:03:55.300 --> 00:04:00.350
said Community affects everyone, no matter whether they are in the incorporated
00:04:00.350 --> 00:04:05.670
or unincorporated areas, Johnson said. We want to listen, whether it's narcotics,
00:04:05.830 --> 00:04:09.830
whether it's sex assaults, whether it's burglaries to motor vehicles, whether it's
00:04:09.830 --> 00:04:15.190
all of these other things, telephone harassment, senior citizen scams, we are
00:04:15.190 --> 00:04:18.370
listening, Johnson said. As for recruiting
00:04:18.370 --> 00:04:21.810
and retention, Johnson said she want to make sure that those who
00:04:21.810 --> 00:04:26.930
work well within the neighborhoods, deputies, corrections officers, and court security have
00:04:26.930 --> 00:04:30.930
the tools, but also the stability moving forward, to make everything safe
00:04:30.930 --> 00:04:33.360
and secure. Johnson said.
00:04:33.360 --> 00:04:37.360
The office is currently building on those priorities to make recruitment and
00:04:37.360 --> 00:04:43.150
retention available for all generations moving ahead. The office has a lateral
00:04:43.150 --> 00:04:47.630
program, she said, so employees can move from public safety to corrections
00:04:47.630 --> 00:04:52.690
or from court security to corrections. The office reduces barriers through its
00:04:52.690 --> 00:04:58.450
Cadet and Explorer program, she said. Russell said recruiting and retaining deputies
00:04:58.450 --> 00:05:03.410
starts with building a professional, respectful, and mission-driven department where people want
00:05:03.410 --> 00:05:08.100
to serve and built a career. To recruit the best candidates, we
00:05:08.100 --> 00:05:12.660
need to reach people where they are through local schools, colleges, military
00:05:12.660 --> 00:05:18.740
and veteran organizations, public safety programs, and community outreach, Russell said We
00:05:18.740 --> 00:05:22.420
should clearly communicate the opportunities available in the sheriff’s
00:05:22.420 --> 00:05:27.940
office including competitive pay and benefits, career advancement, specialized training, and the
00:05:27.940 --> 00:05:33.100
chance to make a meaningful difference in Kane County, Russell said. Retention,
00:05:33.260 --> 00:05:38.060
Russell said, is as important as recruitment as deputies need, fair compensation,
00:05:38.220 --> 00:05:43.580
reliable equipment, strong training, opportunities for advancement, and leadership that listens to
00:05:43.580 --> 00:05:48.770
them and supports them. We should also prioritize wellness, mental health resources,
00:05:48.930 --> 00:05:54.370
mental health resources, reasonable scheduling, and a workplace culture built on professionalism,
00:05:54.530 --> 00:05:58.930
accountability, and respect, Russell said. My goal would be to build a
00:05:58.930 --> 00:06:02.930
department where people are proud to serve. Training, To a question about
00:06:02.930 --> 00:06:07.410
what training should be provided that is not currently required, Russell said
00:06:07.410 --> 00:06:11.330
mental health support is a priority as he has lost friends who
00:06:11.330 --> 00:06:14.870
have taken their own lives. There's so much to a sheriff’s
00:06:14.870 --> 00:06:17.750
office’s and to a career in law enforcement that people like to
00:06:17.750 --> 00:06:21.670
keep inside, Russell said. They have to have avenues to get that
00:06:21.670 --> 00:06:26.590
out. Otherwise they may not make it through their entire career. Johnson
00:06:26.590 --> 00:06:27.470
said. To remember, the
00:06:27.470 --> 00:06:32.350
sheriff’s office is in charge of public safety, corrections and court security.
00:06:32.840 --> 00:06:37.240
We can say mental health, or we can say victim advocacy, Johnson
00:06:37.240 --> 00:06:37.480
said.
00:06:37.720 --> 00:06:41.240
But there's one also that goes through, and it's the understanding of
00:06:41.240 --> 00:06:44.920
not only the humanization of where we're at, but also the critical
00:06:44.920 --> 00:06:50.200
elements of leadership. The issue is not only policies and procedures that
00:06:50.200 --> 00:06:53.560
build upon leaders, but not taking enough time right now to go
00:06:53.560 --> 00:06:55.880
through a mentorship program, Johnson said.
00:06:56.410 --> 00:07:01.130
The officers worked on it with its crisis intervention team, training, mental
00:07:01.130 --> 00:07:07.180
health awareness, and the department's wellness coordinator, Johnson said. Regarding the Sheriff's
00:07:07.180 --> 00:07:11.580
Office's role in supporting women who experience domestic abuse and sexual assault,
00:07:11.820 --> 00:07:16.590
Johnson said the office should play a huge role. State's attorney, Jamie
00:07:16.590 --> 00:07:21.150
Mosser, myself, and former Sheriff Pat Perez did a domestic violence unit,
00:07:21.310 --> 00:07:24.990
the first ever in Kane County history, Johnson said. We are slowly
00:07:24.990 --> 00:07:30.120
and surely having a voice for women, but also males. Johnson said
00:07:30.120 --> 00:07:30.920
the sheriff’s
00:07:30.920 --> 00:07:34.120
office will be there from start to finish and after the fact.
00:07:34.610 --> 00:07:38.370
That's what the Sheriff's Office should be, a support structure on your
00:07:38.370 --> 00:07:43.210
darkest times, Johnson said. Russell agreed the office should have a huge
00:07:43.210 --> 00:07:47.750
role in responding to domestic abuse and sexual assault. I came from
00:07:47.750 --> 00:07:49.030
DuPage County.
00:07:49.110 --> 00:07:52.630
And when we had a domestic call, whether there was a verbal,
00:07:52.710 --> 00:07:57.430
domestic or actually a domestic battery, we called the domestic advocate and
00:07:57.430 --> 00:08:01.660
we started working with them immediately, Russell said. Police officers can do
00:08:01.660 --> 00:08:05.420
a lot to calm a situation, but further care needs to happen
00:08:05.420 --> 00:08:09.180
with people who know how to do it better, Russell said. Also
00:08:09.180 --> 00:08:12.220
helping people get to the state's attorney's office to get an order
00:08:12.220 --> 00:08:17.320
of protection when it's necessary without delay. Russell said he didn't mean
00:08:17.320 --> 00:08:20.600
to be critical, but one thing we cannot do is mention victims
00:08:20.600 --> 00:08:24.120
in press releases. And that just happened. I called for that to
00:08:24.120 --> 00:08:28.040
be removed. It still has not been removed. We can't put people's
00:08:28.040 --> 00:08:33.280
names out there. Russell was referring to an August 25 Sheriff's Office
00:08:33.280 --> 00:08:37.120
press release on its Facebook page that named a victim of domestic
00:08:37.120 --> 00:08:42.800
battery. Negativity often appears when a campaign lacks substance. Johnson wrote in
00:08:42.800 --> 00:08:46.800
a text response to a request for comment. I'm committed to staying
00:08:46.800 --> 00:08:50.640
focused on public safety, accountability, and the issues that matter in Kane
00:08:50.640 --> 00:08:56.560
County. A recording of the candidate forum is available online at www.youtube.com.
