Kane County board OKs 2026 budget, begins amending it

Kane County Board members voted this week to adopt the county’s budget for the next fiscal year that starts Dec. 1.

Then they immediately amended the 2026 budget to authorize additional spending, mostly for justice-related expenses.

On Monday, the county board approved the $405.7 million budget, which is roughly $11 million less than the amount approved for the current fiscal year.

The 2026 spending plan relies on receiving $62.57 million in property taxes, not including taxes collected in special service areas. That’s about $1.5 million more than the 2025 property tax extension.

It also includes about $6 million more in sales taxes. County officials balanced the budget by using $2.1 million in reserves.

After the budget vote, however, the county board approved an “emergency appropriation and budget amendment,” adding $3.1 million in approved spending. Most of that funding is for the state’s attorney’s office, the public defender’s office, and court services.

County board member Bill Lenert, who serves as of chairman of the finance and budget committee, said the emergency amendment was part of a deal worked out with elected officials, including the state’s attorney and circuit court clerk.

Those officers, plus the chief judge, the public defender and a court services official, told the county board’s judicial and public safety committee in October that they would have to lay off workers if forced to make cuts to their budget that the county board wanted.

For example, Circuit Court Clerk Theresa Barreiro said it would mean eliminating customer service at counters and on the phone.

State’s Attorney Jamie Mosser said it would likely mean eliminating positions such as those in the child pornography investigation unit.