Democrats mount re-election campaigns
All but one Democrat on the GOP-heavy Kane County Board will run for re-election next year.
And a Democrat is challenging Republican Don Wolfe, a veteran board member who serves as vice chairman.
Donnell Collins of Aurora, Jesus de la Isla of Elgin and Hollie Kissane of Carpentersville recently announced their campaigns. These mark the first campaigns for Collins and de la Isla, both of whom were appointed to their seats to fill vacancies. Kissane is seeking a second term.
Collins, 51, is an Army veteran, award-winning freelance photographer and teacher's assistant at Waldo Middle School in Aurora. A political newcomer, he was appointed to the board in February to replace Linda Holmes, who vacated her seat to serve in the state Senate.
The 2nd District encompasses part of Aurora's east and west sides.
De la Isla, 28, is an automotive mechanic. Also a political newcomer, he was appointed in November to replace Marlena Fox, who resigned because a new job limited the time she could spend on county business.
The 20th District encompasses Elgin's near east side.
Kissane, 45, is director of clubhouse services at Blackstone Golf Club in Marengo. She was elected in 2004, beating incumbent Margaret Scalfaro with 57 percent of the vote.
A year ago, Kissane contemplated resigning from the board, saying she planned to move from her district because of a series of gang-related incidents. She dropped her challenge to state Rep. Ruth Munson after a drive-by shooting at Kissane's house. Months earlier her son was hospitalized following a fight.
Kissane now says she plans to stay in Carpentersville.
The 24th District is located in the far northeast corner of Kane County, taking in much of Carpentersville's east side.
No GOP challengers have emerged yet.
Wolfe's challenger is Jeanette Mihalec, a 45-year-old former Elgin Community College trustee who is vice president of membership for the Elgin Area Chamber of Commerce.
A former Republican precinct committeeman who has campaigned for local Republican candidates, Mihalec said she now considers herself a Democrat.
"I'm a very independent thinker, but if I have to put a label on myself. … Democrat would probably be accurate," she said.
Wolfe, a 57-year-old real estate appraiser, was elected in 1996. The 18th District is located on Elgin's near west side.
Of the other Democrats up for re-election on the Republican-heavy county board, Aurorans Bonnie Kunkel and Rudy Neuberger are seeking re-election but Paul Greviskes, also from Aurora, is not. Instead he is going for the Democratic nomination for Aurora area's new subcircuit judge post.
Half of the 26-member board, plus GOP board Chairman Karen McConnaughay, are up for re-election in 2008.