Russell seeks re-election to Kane County Coroner post

Kane County Coroner Rob Russell is running for re-election in 2016.

Russell said in a news release he is running "because there is still much to do."

The South Elgin resident has been involved in efforts to fight heroin abuse, including co-hosting a forum with Kane County Sheriff Don Kramer. He has signed up his office as a site where unused and expired prescription drugs can be dropped off for disposal. He successfully pursued accreditation for the office from the International Association of Coroners and Medical Examiners.

He has also been in a protracted disagreement with County Board Chairman Chris Lauzen and some county board members about the budget for his office. Russell and Lauzen are both Republicans.

Russell has said the previous coroner, Chuck West, wasn't doing enough autopsies, and therefore West's budgets weren't good indicators of how much money the coroner needs. Lauzen questioned whether Russell really needed to do as many autopsies as he has, going so far as to higher former Kane County coroner Mary Lou Kearns to review them for necessity.

The latest skirmish is over the county board deciding to only pay expenses related to the coroner's mandated duties if he outspends his budgeted appropriation. The county auditor, though, has refused to authorize payment on some expenses, even though the appropriation hasn't yet been exhausted. Russell has threatened to sue the county, and asked State's Attorney Joe McMahon to ask a judge to order the county to pay the bills.