Russell wins Kane County coroner race, will face Martinez in November

For the past three years, Kane County Board Chairman Chris Lauzen and his supporters on the board have called for a new coroner. On Tuesday, Republican voters rejected that call.

Unofficial results of the GOP rematch between incumbent Coroner Rob Russell and challenger Bob Tiballi seemed to only confirm the outcome from three years prior. Russell defeated Tiballi by 3,324 votes with all 291 precincts reporting just after midnight. Russell received 25,886 votes compared to 22,562 for Tiballi.

"I'm just very thankful to the citizens of Kane County for recognizing the fact that I have worked really hard to make this office better," Russell said. "The fact that they are happy with what I'm doing is very encouraging. It shows the people are paying attention."

Russell said there's always room for improvement, but he doesn't foresee any major changes with the way he manages the office if he were to win a second term.

Tiballi was not available for comment late Tuesday night.

Russell's victory triggered yet another rematch from 2012 for the upcoming general election in November as Tao Martinez again secured the Democratic nomination.

Martinez defeated fellow Democrat John Shoemaker with all 291 precincts reporting in unofficial results. Martinez received 23,538 votes and Shoemaker 19.424.

If Martinez were to win in November, he would be the first Democrat and Hispanic to run a countywide office in Kane County since the retirement of former Sheriff Pat Perez three years ago.

Martinez has promised a new approach to budgeting that will differentiate between administrative and operational costs. He believes cost savings are available by changing the shifts deputies work and taking a more discerning approach to when autopsies are performed.