Kane County forum touches on big issues
Creating space in the Kane County jail and preserving open space in the county's forest preserves quickly became highlight issues at a candidate forum for Dundee Township area politicians Thursday night.
Sheriff Pat Perez and challenger Don Kramer fielded questions touching on the impact of illegal immigrants on overcrowding at the county jail. Kramer said he believes illegal immigrants are part of the problem. Perez said he believes they can be part of the solution.
“There's probably a good number of inmates in the jail that could probably be moved out faster to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Kramer said. “We shouldn't be watching them if they're not legal here. Get them out of our facility faster and improve the efficiency of the court system.
But Perez said the idea of a county jail overflowing with illegal immigrants is a myth.
“Immigrations and Customs Enforcement receives a jail list from us every evening, Perez said. “They review that list and inform us, in writing, that they want someone held for a detention hearing. That person's detention hearing happens immediately. No one languishes in our jail because of detentions. We're not holding them excessively.
Perez said part of the answer to overcrowding is opening up the shell space and continuing current negotiations with Immigration and Customs Enforcement to host more illegal immigrants, at a daily profit, whenever there is extra bed space available.
When it came time for county board candidates to take the stage, it quickly became clear that the main point everyone wanted to slam home was their stance on gravel mining in county forest preserves. The issue is hot right now following verbal battle between Dundee Township Supervisor Sue Harney and Commissioner Cathy Hurlbut. Harney has endorsed one of Hurlbut's opponents, Jim Shales, partly because of Shales' opposition to mining. Shales, Hurlbut, District 21 candidates Tim Haley and Joseph Haimann and District 23 candidate Maggie Auger all made a point of saying they are opposed to mining in the Brunner Forest Preserve in their introductory remarks.
Hurlbut often found herself on the defensive as the only member of the county board panel who was an incumbent. Hopefuls railed against raises for county board members, campaign contributions from vendors the county does business with and video gambling. Hurlbut responded that she receives no personal gain from her role on the county board. She did, however, support video gambling. Hurlbut said promises from the state to cut the county out of money for roads, bridges and other capital project made her feel as if she had no other choice. Hurlbut said the county has already been at the bottom of the list for getting state money for capital projects for several years now.
“We were told at the county that we either needed to play or get out, Hurlbut said. “It shows that we're a team player with the state. Our neighbors will be doing it; we're going to be doing it, too.