Public accuses treasurer of misusing tax-bill insert; treasurer defends transparency

Several public commenters at the Kane County Finance & Budget Committee meeting on June 24 pressed elected officials for answers after a county tax-bill insert that residents say resembled campaign material.

Denise Theold told the committee that the insert was mailed to nearly 200,000 taxpayers and that residents had filed complaints with the state's attorney, the auditor's hotline, election officials and the board ethics commission. "After all this time, taxpayers are still asking questions," Theold said, calling for accountability and asking who paid for the design and printing and whether the board or the state's attorney had reviewed the insert as had been stated publicly.

Treasurer Vern Lawson defended his office’s reporting in a detailed slide presentation and said monthly reconciliations and supporting documents have been posted online, including what he termed a "100% transparency" button on the treasurer’s website. Lawson said interest and revenue reporting include portions that are distributed to other taxing agencies and that bond holdings and yields are disclosed in his packet. "Before making observation or criticism, I would just think that it's reasonable to take a look at the report," Lawson said.

Committee members and commenters said they remain unsatisfied with the level of public explanation. Several speakers said board statements that the insert had been "properly reviewed and approved by the board and the state's attorney" appeared to be inconsistent with documents and led to follow-up complaints.

The chair noted that complaints had been filed and that the state's attorney had received inquiries; at the meeting's close the chair reiterated that questions about the sheriff's budget and related concerns are under investigation and that the committee will schedule a presentation once there is clarity. The committee did not take formal action on the mailer issue during the meeting.

What happens next: the committee's public records and the treasurer's posted reports remain the main documentary sources. Complainants have sought review by the state's attorney and other oversight bodies; the committee said staff will follow up and return with answers or further presentations as warranted.