West tops Hickrod for Kane coroner

Kane County Coroner Charles West was victorious Tuesday in his bid for a third term over Democratic challenger Stan Hickrod.

West, an Elgin Republican, received 90,941 votes to Hickrod's 77,136 with all 299 precincts reporting in Kane County and Aurora Township, according to unofficial results.

A former police officer first elected coroner in 2000, West, 65, cited technological upgrades he made to the office and trendsetting programs he initiated to tackle elderly abuse and neglect and domestic violence in his bid for re-election.

Hickrod, 44, a veteran police officer and funeral home director from Sleepy Hollow, said he would bring the greatest breadth of experience to the job and would heal what he called "strained" relationships involving the coroner's office and police, fire and health care groups, among others.