Kane Co. Coroner's race launches with Tiballi, Russell rematch
Three years ago, Rob Russell and Dr. Bob Tiballi spent most of the campaign for Kane County Coroner debating whether the coroner should be a doctor or a peace officer. They've got a lot more to discuss now.
Flocked by seven Kane County Board members, Tiballi kicked off Tuesday a rematch with incumbent Russell for the GOP nomination this spring. Tiballi said he plans to maintain a positive tone to his rhetoric throughout the campaign. But his remarks showed even a positive tone will contain at least subtle digs at Russell.
"Over the past few months I have had numerous people tell me thy are disappointed in the leadership in the coroner's office," Tiballi said. "I could not agree more. Together we can work to restore professionalism and responsibility back to the coroner's office. McHenry, Lake and DuPage Counties all have doctors as their coroners. I don't think Kane County deserves less."
Tiballi is a doctor of osteopathic medicine and is the founder and CEO of GERMBUSTERS, a private medical practice that specializes in infectious diseases.
Russell edged Tiballi by about 1,500 votes in 2012 for the job. But the vitriol reignited between the two this past July. Russell announced he was taking a second look at a case involving a woman with an undetermined cause of death following a tip from Tiballi that suggested there may have been a homicide involved. Tiballi then knocked Russell for going public with information Tiballi said he told him in confidence. Tiballi even wrote a letter bashing the perceived betrayal that was published in several local newspapers.
Responding to Tiballi's campaign announcement, Russell said he'll stand on his record of the past three years.
He said his advocacy for drug abuse prevention and Narcan use by area police officers are highlights or his first term in office. He also noted the successful accreditation of the coroner's office.
"I said we'd bring integrity back to this office, and we did that," Russell said. "What (Tiballi) said today was long on political rhetoric and short on any innovations he would propose. The board members who were there supporting him are basically cronies of (county board Chairman Chris Lauzen). They have their crosshairs on me, but I look forward to talking about what we've accomplished in this first term."
Lauzen will have a challenger of his own in the chairman's race. Fellow Republican, and former Kane County Board attorney, Ken Shepro, confirmed Tuesday he will make a formal announcement about running for the chairman's seat later this week.