Scott Johansen: 2026 candidate for Kane County Treasurer

Bio

Party: Democratic

Office sought: Kane County Treasurer

City: Campton Hills

Age: 74

Occupation: Retired. Engineering manager and entrepreneur of an international electronics manufacturing company.

Previous offices held: Precinct committee person

Q&A

Why are you running for this office, whether for re-election or election for the first time? Is there a particular issue that motivates you?

I am a financial analyst (NU MBA). I believe I have the talent and skills to do an excellent job, by training, and by creativity, in my approach to all positions I have had in the past. I decided to run for this office because I watched the finance committee seeming to struggle in working through issues. I understand management as well as have ideas and concerns as to the function of this position. I am a financial leader.

If you are an incumbent, describe your main contributions. Please share any notable initiatives you've led. If you are a challenger, what would you bring to the job, and what would be your priority?

I have had many years of management experience building a complex business. I have been involved in financial issues as well as worked as a member of management.

The office is primarily a bankers position for the county. All of the bankers I have dealt with are business leaders. I would bring a background of analytical skills and experience much more significant than the other candidates possess. I would initially review and understand the functions and roles of all those in the department and validate their conformance to the requirements the state and local policy mandates have defined.

My intention at that point is to establish working cross-functional teams with those in county government involved in programs that have significant financial ties to the Kane County citizens. That would serve to accelerate communication across departments as well as begin the process of integrating new ideas that may improve the lives of our county, with the financial impact of those ideas at the center.

The treasurer should be a leader in the financial function of our county government.

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

The county treasurer is the banker of county government. As such, the individual must have a strong business background and, preferably, actually run a complex organization. I have done that.

I have worked as an engineer and launched a startup that grew into an international organization. I have raised many millions of dollars in the process of building that company. County government has thousands of people and many different organizations that need to have contact with the treasurer’s office.

Multi-cultural experiences in a business environment are only going to help in creating relationships in the performance of this position. I have that background. I am a business professional and a financial analyst. My MBA was obtained at Northwestern University. That university has international standing as one of the finest business schools in the world.

My fellow classmates came from all over the world. To succeed in that environment, you must be able to learn how to work with many kinds of people as well as become comfortable working in a team environment. I was trained in that environment and have succeeded at that school.

Name one concrete program you’ll create or personnel move you’ll make to improve efficiency in the office or make it more successful. Explain how it will be funded and how you will overcome obstacles to initiating it.

I would begin to improve communication between the treasurer’s office and Kane County government by creating and implementing a cross-functional team working system with one or two other sections of county government in order to start a formal, required interaction with some other section of government.

The goal of that action is to begin the formal improvement of communication between the treasurer’s office and Kane County government. That should cost nothing, but has the possibility to begin the transformation of some parts of our government offices.

I have been told by some Kane County Board members that the most important change that is needed is improved communication. That action will start the process. If there is resistance, I will go back to that board member and ask for assistance.