Rob Russell: 2026 candidate for Kane County sheriff

Bio

Office sought: Kane County sheriff

City: Hampshire

Age: 59

Party: Republican

Previous offices held: Kane County Coroner

Q&A

Why are you running for this office? Is there a particular issue that motivates you? If so, what?

I am running for Kane County Sheriff because I believe Kane County deserves experienced, accountable, and transparent leadership focused on public safety. With 34 years in law enforcement, including 20 years as a sheriff’s deputy, I understand the challenges facing law enforcement from the ground level through leadership. My experience improving and streamlining the coroner’s office has prepared me to bring that same focus on professionalism, fiscal responsibility, accountability, and service to the Sheriff’s Office. Most importantly, I want to restore and strengthen the public’s trust in their Sheriff’s Office.

What would you bring to the position and what would your priority be?

1. Proven Experience- I have 34 years of broad spectrum law enforcement. In my 20 years working for a county sheriff's office, I have worked and/or supervised all three bureaus within a sheriff's office (Corrections, Court Security and Patrol). I was progressively promoted from Deputy, to Corporal, and retired as a Sergeant when I was elected Coroner.

2. Proven Leadership- As an elected law enforcement administrator, I transformed a broken office into a nationally respected state of the art operation, in my time as coroner. Leadership involves doing the hard thing. I did that consistently as coroner, sometimes fighting against those within my own political party. My allegiance is to the people I serve, not a party or individual with power.

3. I have a concrete, articulable plan- My plan involves getting the KCSO accredited with ILEAP (Illinois Law Enforcement Accreditation Program ). It is my belief that the operations of the KCSO is very good and functional. Accreditation will verify that and allow people outside the county (industry experts) to praise the deputies and staff for the work they are doing. Accreditation will be my top priority.

What type of crime should be the sheriff office’s top target in the next few years? Please explain why. What steps will you take to address the priorities as you see them?

The Sheriff's Office should continue to make combating drug-related crime, particularly fentanyl and related drugs, a top priority over the next several years. Drug trafficking fuels addiction, overdoses, theft, violence, and other crimes that affect families and communities throughout Kane County. As coroner, I saw the effects almost every day. We have lost almost an entire generation of our citizens to this epidemic. I would use my experience to develop a coordinated strategy to disrupt trafficking networks, improve intelligence-sharing with local, state, and federal partners, and target those profiting from dangerous drugs.

I will work closely with advocacy groups to help rehabilitate those afflicted.

My experience improving and streamlining the Coroner’s Office has prepared me to strengthen operations, improve communication, and use public resources effectively. I would establish clear priorities, measure results, and regularly report progress. By combining enforcement, prevention, treatment partnerships, and transparent leadership, we can reduce drug-related crime and make Kane County safer.

Describe your position on the allocation of resources in the sheriff'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?

The statutes state clearly the function of a sheriff. The mandated statutes must be addressed first to stay in compliance with the law. The county board must allocate the necessary resources required for a sheriff to perform his statutory duties. As a taxpayer, I am not asking for a blank check. I will articulate the necessary resources based on the statutory duties required. As far as personnel, there are definitely some changes that are needed. There is currently a Chief that is assigned as a facility czar, making $160,000 per year. This chief was appointed directly from deputy status. Ironically, as far as capital expense, we need to address several issues with the jail. I would think a Chief of Facility would be able to keep up on the maintenance of the jail, but that is not the case. By reallocating personnel such as this, money will be freed up to address some of these capital deficiencies. We may also be able to utilize the inmate commissary fund to help finance some improvement costs. This can happen as long as it can be articulated that using inmate commissary funds benefit all the inmates.

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 any obstacles to initiating it.

I have several ideas that I am going to explore, but one that would be the most practical is the Special Policing District with the Townships. In DuPage, there are township deputies that are funded by particular townships. Typically, if residents of a township want there own assigned deputy, they can pay a small amount via taxes (earmarked for the program) and have that. I was a township deputy for several years. Typically, a township board drafts a referendum for the people to decide if they would like to do that, and the electorate vote on it. If adopted, the township deputy program can be implemented. DuPage has had several township deputies for years. The decision rests with the majority of the residents. If they vote no, so be it. If they would like to have their own deputy assigned to the area, then it will happen. I already have documentation and examples available for the township boards and their attorneys to review, and have received some interest in the exploration of the program.