Two seek Democratic nomination for Kane District 11

Two people are seeking the Democratic Party nomination for the Kane County Board seat representing District 11.

They are incumbent Leslie Juby of Geneva, who has been on the board for four years, and Julie Forbes of Geneva.

“I feel we need stronger Democratic representation on the board,” Forbes, 67, said of why she is running. She said her 41 years of business experience, particularly in preparing budgets and strategic plans, are an asset.

Juby, 64, cited her experience on the board, including serving as chairman of the agriculture committee, and her work on the finance, administrative and public health committees. She also spent 12 years on the Geneva school board and was on the board of the Illinois Math and Science Academy. She worked as a substitute teacher.

District 11 serves most of Geneva and part of Batavia.

Juby said when she is campaigning, people talk to her about affordable housing and food. She said there is “a rise in fear over what is happening in the federal government.” She noted the county board did pass an ordinance prohibiting federal immigration agents from using the county’s parking lots, vacant lots and garages for civil case enforcement.

Forbes said constituents are concerned about the trickle-down effect of the federal government’s actions, especially changes at the Environmental Protection Agency. The residents are also concerned about data centers moving in, she said.

The county board adopted a facility master plan in 2024 that recommends moving the multibuilding Kane County Government Center campus, or at least adding on to or replacing the administration building on the current site in Geneva.

Forbes said there are pros and cons. Moving it to the Judicial Center campus near St. Charles would streamline some operations, she said, but she would first want to study the costs and return on the investment. “Why the push to potentially moving the governmental offices when maybe with just a couple upkeeps we can make improvements and stay there and save a ton of money?” she said.

Juby said she favors historic preservation, so replacing the government center would be a low priority. The main administration building was built in 1941 as part of a Catholic high school seminary. “As much as we would all like to have that magic money tree, we don’t, and so we have to work within the confines of the money we have,” Juby said.

Juby said making sure the county has a balanced budget is a top priority. “We need a balanced budget that doesn’t cause us to cut services,” she said. One area the county could do more about would be expanding behavioral-health programs, she said.

Forbes said the county board needs to have a strategic plan that includes addressing the county’s finances. “What I like about a strategic plan is it holds committee members and people within the board accountable to their actions,” she said.

No Republicans are running for District 11.

Kane County board members also serve as forest preserve district commissioners.