Burns beckons GOP support in bid to become Kane chairman

Geneva Mayor Kevin Burns Tuesday became the first candidate to enter the race for Kane County Board chairman. Saying he has the support of Illinois Republican Party Chairman Pat Brady, Burns told a crowd of about 50 supporters he’s the only candidate who’s prepared to take over the duties of the office. That includes the potential for the duties of the office to change.

Burns highlighted his 10 years as mayor of Geneva in promoting his campaign.

“There will be no time for a learning curve, no time for on-the-job training and certainly no time for a honeymoon,” Burns said. “I have demonstrated my ability to carry out the duties of chief executive officer by working constructively with department heads, developing department budgets, allocating resources to address the needs of citizens and business owners, and working collaboratively with local, county state and federal officials.”

Burns said he’s a candidate who will create jobs, preserve open space and focus on public safety if elected.

The exact job description that Burns, and any other candidate, is running for as Kane County Board chairman is up for debate. Current Chairman Karen McConnaughay has in recent weeks advocated the hiring of a full-time administrator, similar to what other neighboring counties have. Other county board members, including John Hoscheit and Jesse Vazquez, have expressed support for that idea. No formal call to investigate the change has yet materialized, but evolving the chairman’s role could be part of upcoming 2012 budget discussions for the county board.

Burns said he is “indifferent” to the hiring of a full-time administrator to take over the day-to-day operation of the county.

“That’s for the county board to decide,” Burns said. “My message is: Who’s the highest-qualified candidate to serve on Day 1? That’s me.”

Burns said he’s interested in the chairman position no matter what the job entails. He said he’ll follow the board discussions as it embarks on the budgeting process for 2012.

For his own campaign finances, Burns said he believes his longtime friendship with Brady will go a long way in finding monetary support. Burns did not have a particularly strong show of financial support during his brief run for Dennis Hastert’s 14th Congressional District seat in 2007. Burns faced state Sen. Chris Lauzen in that race. Lauzen has said he’s considering a run for Kane County Board chairman. He is expected to announce his political intentions this Saturday at a picnic in Aurora.

If Lauzen enters the race he may be facing a two-headed foe. In addition to his previous rivalry with Burns, Lauzen has clashed heads with Brady in the past over a bill Lauzen introduced that would require Illinois Republicans to have direct election of party leadership. At one point, Brady suggested Lauzen should rethink his membership in the Republican Party.