Penny Wegman: 2024 candidate for Kane County Auditor

Bio

Party: Democrat

Office Sought: Kane County Auditor

City: Elgin

Age: 48

Occupation: Kane County Auditor since 2020

Previous offices held: Kane County Board Member, Gail Borden Library Trustee, Kane County Regional School Board Trustee

Why are you running for this office, whether for reelection or election for the first time? Is there a particular issue that motivates you? If so, what?

I am running for reelection as Kane County Auditor because Kane County deserves an independent auditor. I want to continue to increase transparency on how your tax dollars are spent. This is not a one-off policy change, but rather part of an ongoing culture shift for Kane County.

If you are an incumbent, describe your main contributions. Tell us of any important initiatives you've led. If you are a challenger, what would you bring to the board and what would your priority be?

To date we have increased access to the Online County Checkbook, developed an internship program, identified and helped the county board close policy gaps and created a Purchase Card Audit process that increased transparency and increased revenue.

In 2023, we audited 23,000 invoices totaling $175 million and $62 million in payroll records for approximately 1,300 employees. Most recently the Kane County Auditor’s Office received the International Association of Governmental Officials Innovator Award. We’ve accomplished a lot in the last four years but we are not done yet.

What special qualifications does a county auditor need that may not apply to other county offices? What professional qualifications or experiences do you possess that will help ensure your success as an auditor?

State statute provides that in counties under a population of 275,000, the county auditor is the general accountant and deals with the county finances. With Kane County’s population of approximately 525,000, the auditor doesn’t operate the financials, but instead focuses on policy compliance. Making sure that tax dollars are spent properly.

While no special qualifications are required to be auditor, a thorough understanding of the county codes and policies is essential. Having served on the county board prior to becoming Kane County Auditor, I had served on numerous committees.

This has afforded me the opportunity and ability to bring knowledge and experience with county codes and policies, as well as an understanding of how the county board operates to the Kane County Auditor’s Office. I have earned an MBA from Keller Graduate School of Management, and I have completed over 300 continuing education hours obtaining those skills and more which I have applied to this office.

To what extent must an auditor remain independent of other county offices and officials, and how will you ensure the appropriate level of independence in this office?

The auditor must always be independent of other county offices and officials. The Illinois State Statute clearly outlines the responsibilities set for the auditor. I will continue to strictly follow these responsibilities and will decline assignments and appointments that will jeopardize the integrity of the office. Additionally, I will continue to utilize professional skepticism to question all invoices regardless of the department.

Describe your position regarding the allocation of resources in the auditor's office. Are personnel allocated as they should be? Are there capital expenses or other budgetary items that the office must address, and, if so, how do you propose to address them?

Personnel is the largest part of the auditor’s budget. Over the past four years, county spending has increased within Kane County. An increase in spending and invoices requires an increase of staffing to ensure that the statutory responsibility to audit all claims against the county is met. Additionally, competitive compensation costs for our industry have increased over the past four years and as a result payroll costs have increased.

There are no capital expenses associated with the auditor's office and all other budgetary items have remained nearly flat.