Kane County board shuffles committee chairs

In what may demonstrate the balance of power on the Kane County Board for the next two years, Tom Van Cleave received the blessing of the majority of his peers Tuesday to be the new vice chairman.

The vice chairman is generally considered the right hand of the chairman, but a close vote showed not all board members were prepared to shake Chairman Karen McConnaughay's choice for that right hand.

Van Cleave beat out Jim Mitchell, the board's senior member, in a 14 to 11 vote. Both Van Cleave and Mitchell worked the room before the vote in a display that neither person was sure if they had enough votes to win the job. Batavia Mayor Jeff Schielke was also present in a show of his support for Van Cleave.

“I'm not seeking this position to add to my resume or because it is my turn,” Van Cleave said before the vote. “I have a good relationship with every member of this board. I have spoken my mind on issues and have not necessarily voted with the majority. I have voted for what I've thought was best for the citizens of Kane County. I have never sought any positions for clout. I have no agenda other than serving.”

Mitchell cited his chairmanship of five different committees and his push for a new ethics ordinance in highlighting his years of service on the board.

“People have said, ‘Can you get along with the board chair?,' Mitchell said before the vote. “Yes. Do I always agree with the board chair? No. If there's a time when the board says this is what we want and the chairman is not in agreement then sometimes you just have to stand up and say no.”

Mitchell pledged to resign as vice chairman in six months if board members told him he was doing a poor job. The pledge didn't win over enough votes. Mitchell's consolation prize was chairmanship of the board's Finance Committee as McConnaughay announced the new assignments.

Notable assignments included: Barb Wojnicki receiving her first chairmanship of a high-profile committee, the Energy and Environmental Committee. Mike Kenyon will take over the County Development Committee. Cathy Hurlbut assumes control over the Transportation Committee. Jennifer Mihalec replaces the long-serving Gerald Jones as chair of the Public Health Committee.

Meanwhile, John Hoscheit was unanimously re-elected by his peers for another term as president of the forest preserve district. He voiced plans for a big agenda that may very well include another tax increase request for the district to acquire more land.

“Right now we probably have some of the best options for acquisitions that we've had due in large part to the economy,” Hoscheit said.

He indicated some long-coveted lands are now available at “much discounted prices,” but cash to buy the properties is now gone. Hoscheit said commissioners must discuss the possibility of asking voters for more money to see if they want the district to continue expanding public open space.