Q&A with Rauschenberger
1. Why are you running for this office, whether for re-election or election the first time? Is there a particular issue that motivates you, and if so, what? What will be your main priority?
Although I have been appointed to fill a vacancy on the ballot, I welcome the opportunity to help focus the Kane County Board on the issues of urban districts. I think in many ways, the Board has not focussed enough attention on the urban areas that carry the County tax load.
2. For incumbents and non-incumbents. If you are an incumbent, describe your main contributions. Tell us of important initiatives you've led. If you are not an incumbent, tell us what contributions you would make.
There are three issues I hope to advance, and make progress on: First, families in my area are struggling with the cost of property taxes, I want to be a watch dog for their taxes in Geneva, and will not support property tax increases. Second, I want to challenge the Board and the County staff to make County services and information available on the web and at satelitte locations like the public libraries and city halls. Third, before the County Forest preserve buys anymore acreage in western Kane County I want them to consider urban forest preserves and "pocket parks". In my area both the DC Cook property and the Santa's Village property should be considered. I think the Forest preserve should consider access and usage as well as price per acre.
3. Do you support moving all county offices to one home surrounding the judicial center? If so, what should be done with the current county government property and buildings on Batavia Avenue? If not, then what's the best use for the remaining acreage at the judicial center?
I am not convinced it is crucial to have functions like the county clerk's office next to the judicial center. I would favor the approach of considering on a case by case basis the need for, the cost of, and the benefits of relocation. While it may make sense for the state's attorney, the coroner's office, the circuit clerk, and sheriff's office, I am not persuaded the the Regional Office of Education needs to be co-located.
4. Kane County continues to experience a population explosion. What are the areas and services you believe will be most challenged by this growth? Where will the money come from to extend and increase services to these new residents?
The criminal justice costs are by far the most impacted by our growth. The judiciary, the public defender, the state's attorney, the sheriff, and the coroner, make up the majority of Kane County's budget. The board needs to work together with all of these offices to make the 16th Judicial circuit a model of innovation and reform. We need to reduce jail stays by moving cases for trail in a more timely fashion, we need to consider night court to keep more minor cases out of the regular courts, and we need consider appropriate diversion programs like Drug Courts.
5. The county has taken a leadership role in studying the issue of long-term water supply maintenance and protection. What should the county's emphasis be in this area over the next few years? Explain.
Kane County should continue to lead in water useage and conservation. I support urging municipalities to follow the lead of Hampshire in rewarding residents with rebates for reducing water useage. We also need to expand and support, water conservation development planning, ie natural vegetation, rain recycling and other innovations.
6. Transportation issues continue to be a major concern to residents. How would you judge the county's response to their demands so far? What would you consider to be of highest county priority in this area and how would you fund its delivery?
Kane County has done a good job considering the state of Illinois' failure to maintain a reasonable state road program. The state has failed to be a reasonable partner in transportation funding and planning. We need to ask our state to do a better job, and ask our state representatives and senators to hold it accountable. We also need to be proactive in seeking expanded mass transit for our county and supporting transit opportunities. Extending the Blue Line to Elgin is a good example of the kind of planning we should support.
7. Not including those issues already identified above, is there another issue you believe will affect the county or your district over the next four years? If so, define it and explain how you would like to see it addressed.
No answer.
8. Please list the names of all relatives employed by or involved in contracts with Kane County, their relationship to you and their position or area of business.
None