How voters perceive incumbent may determine Kane Co. board race
When voters go to the polls to select a Kane County Board member in the 15th District, the decision may hinge on whether incumbent Barb Wojnicki's voice is viewed as fiercely independent or ineffectively combative.
Wojnicki's Republican competitors in the Feb. 2 primary are Campton Hills Village Trustee Al Lenkaitis, and Susan Secondi, who doesn't hold elected office.
Lenkaitis said during an endorsement interview this week he believes Wojnicki is doing a "great job." He's primarily running because he believes in honest competition and giving voters a choice. He shared Wojnicki's stance on the bulk of the issues both candidates were questioned on. However, Wojnicki says she voted against video gambling in Kane County on moral grounds. Lenkaitis said his recent vote to ban video gambling in Campton Hills was based on lack of clarity in the regulations and the potential inability to opt out later. He left the door open for renewed video gambling debate once the rules are clearer.
Secondi is running a campaign based on the notion that Wojnicki has failed to represent entire segments of her constituents, particularly those who don't live in rural areas. It's also based on the idea that Wojnicki often finds herself being chastised on the board floor for what Chairman Karen McConnaughay has labeled as inappropriate questions at inappropriate times. Wojnicki chairs none of the major committees.
"That's one of the reasons why I'm running," Secondi said during her endorsement interview. "If Barb's voice isn't being heard, how can she represent us and get our district represented if it's not being acknowledged. I can't speak to how it's happened, but you have to have an active voice and a voice that's going to be heard, respected and listened to."
Wojnicki, elected in 1998, said her voice is heard, and she does get things done. She pointed to the resolution of flooding issues in Campton Hills' Burning Tree subdivision with the county's help. As for her status as somewhat of an outsider on the county board, Wojnicki said that's a matter of pride.
"From the day I was elected, I have never been bought," Wojnicki said. " Nobody can promise me if you vote with me on this issue I will make you chairman of Transportation (Committee) or Development (Committee). ... And those deals go down all the time, I'm going to tell you that right now. I'm just not a favorite child because, basically, they don't know what I'm going to ask. They don't know what I'm going to say. And that's uncomfortable for some people."
Secondi said the county board has a transparency problem that has left many people wondering "what's really going on." Transparency is one reason she favors term limits.
"We don't want career politicians in office," Secondi said. "That only promotes their own interests, not public service."
Wojnicki said Kane County used to be very open and transparent, but now a "punishment and reward" system is in place where county board members who are allies of Chairman Karen McConnaughay are the only people who get to ask questions and raise debate whenever they want to.
"I always said from Day 1 that the leaders of the government, the village president, the chairman, whoever it is, set the tone," Wojnicki said. "And if the tone is not totally open and transparent, that's the tone that really comes down, and it's reflected on the county board."