Endorsement: Russell for Kane County coroner

L. Robert (Rob) Russell, Kane County Coroner since 2012, faces a challenge from Dr. Monica Silva, a chiropractic physician and Kane County Board member, in the upcoming general election.

Russell, a Republican, wants to continue the progress he’s made during his time in office. During his tenure, the Kane County Coroner’s office became the first accredited coroner's office in Illinois, passing an audit twice with a 100% score. He says the “drug of the day” has evolved from heroin, when he first took office in 2012, to fentanyl in 2024, and his office does full autopsies on all suspected drug deaths. He’s currently overseeing an initiative, in partnership with the Kane County Sheriff’s Office and the Kane County state’s attorney’s office, to establish a fully functional forensic laboratory.

“We see it becoming a central hub for forensic investigations, which will expedite case resolutions right here,” Russell says.

Silva, a Democrat, says her medical background and clinical knowledge give her the edge to serve as coroner, particularly in determining causes of death. Silva says she has extensive public health experience and wants the coroner’s office to do more public health work, including addressing the opioid abuse crisis. She believes the coroner’s office needs to be more involved in the community, more transparent and use real-time data in informing the public about drug-involved deaths, preferably within 24 to 48 hours of toxicology reports.

Russell counters that it’s not necessary to be a doctor to serve as coroner and it’s more of a law enforcement post than a medical post, as forensic pathologists perform the autopsies. He says it’s important to make sure the next of kin is fully advised before cause of death is released.

Given Russell’s successful track record and the work he’s already put into establishing the forensics lab, we believe he deserves another term. Russell is endorsed.