Geneva mayor enters Kane County chairman race, Oberweis out

Geneva Mayor Kevin Burns made it known Friday he is running for the Kane County Board’s chairman seat. And the nemesis who pushed Burns to drop out of his last high-profile regional race has decided to keep out of Burns’ path.

Burns has scheduled an announcement for noon Tuesday on the north lawn of the Kane County Government Center, 719 S. Batavia Ave. (Route 31).

He announced in late June he was considering a run to replace Karen McConnaughay, who has said she intends to run for the new 33rd District state senate seat. That announcement sparked State Sen. Chris Lauzen and Illinois GOP State Central Committee member Jim Oberweis to express interest in the chairman seat as well. Burns, Lauzen and Oberweis all entered the Republican primary for the 14th Congressional District seat in 2008. Burns dropped out when the retiring incumbent, Dennis Hastert, endorsed Oberweis.

“In my travels throughout Kane County, I was encouraged by many people to seek the chairman’s post, not just because of my experience, but also my record and reputation of being a collaborative leader,” Burns said.

Oberweis said Friday he’s decided not to run for the chairman seat.

“My passion is really on economic policy,” Oberweis said. “I just don’t feel that the position with the Kane County Board will allow me the opportunity to follow that passion.”

Instead, Oberweis may yet find himself in a rematch with Lauzen. Oberweis said he’s now considering a run for the District 25 State Senate seat. That’s currently Lauzen’s district. Lauzen will announce his re-election intentions Aug. 13. Oberweis said he’ll make his final decision about becoming a candidate within the next two weeks, but he’s already “leaning toward” a state senate run.

“I’ve had a lot of very strong support from a number of people,” Oberweis said.