Kane County sheriff candidates discuss plans for reducing crime

Kane County Undersheriff Amy Johnson and retired sheriff’s Lt. Salvador Rodriguez fielded questions about their campaigns for sheriff during a recent League of Women Voters forum at the Gail Borden Public Library in Elgin.

Johnson and Rodriguez are seeking the Democratic nomination for sheriff in the March 17 primary. The winner will face the winner of the Republican primary contest between former coroner Rob Russell and Elburn Trustee Lou Santoyo.

Johnson said she’s running from sheriff because “experience, integrity and steady leadership matter.”

“Public safety is not slogans and sound bites,” she added. “It’s about showing up every day, making informed decisions, and holding ourselves to the same standards we ask of the people we serve. I spent more than two decades doing exactly that — making budgets, leading through crises, supporting our deputies and staff and working along our community partners to keep Kane County safe.”

Rodriguez said he is running “because Kane County deserves proven leadership and real community involvement.”

“I bring nearly 30 years of proven leadership and experience, including nearly 10 years in supervising leadership,” he said.

Rodriguez said his law enforcement career has included service as a deputy, field training officer, police dog handler, detective, sergeant of internal affairs and patrol sergeant. He also created and led the sheriff’s Explorer Cadet program, he said.

Asked about strategies to reduce crime, Johnson said data matters, such as tracking service calls when crime is happening, especially for property crimes.

“Strong community policing is also essential. When deputies know the neighborhoods they serve and residents trust law enforcement, crimes get reported,” Johnson said. “Investigations are stronger and people feel safe. Trust is part of public safety.”

Mental health services and addiction treatment also help address conditions that can lead people into the justice system, Johnson said.

“Public safety works best when we work together, working with schools, nonprofits and neighboring agencies to address gangs, drugs and violence,” she added.

Rodriguez said visible law enforcement “deters crime and reassures residents.”

“The most effective strategy for reducing crime in Kane County starts with visibility, trust, prevention,” Rodriguez said.

“First, we must focus resources where the sheriff has primary responsibility — unincorporated Kane County,” he added. “By increasing patrol visibility and reducing response times, a visible law enforcement presence deters crime and reassures residents.”

He also backed early intervention efforts, especially for underserved and high-risk youth.

“Breaking the cycle of incarceration makes communities safer in the long run,” Rodriguez said.