Kate Monteleone: 2026 candidate for Kane County Board District 15

Bio

Office sought: Kane County Board District 15

Party: Democrat

City: St Charles

Age: 74

Previous offices held: Olympia Fields Library Trustee

Q&A

Why are you running for this office? Is there a particular issue that motivates you?

I am running for Kane County Board to represent my neighbors and community, and to bring the experience of thirty years leading nonprofit organizations to the table. As a representative role, county board members must be visible, accessible and responsive to residents, which they are not. Trust is weakened by partisanship and conflict, therefore I favor a nonpartisan, professional administrator to manage operations of the 29 departments and elected offices that are accountable to the board and the people. Open space and farmland are assets that promote the quality of life in Kane County. These, plus water resources need protection from development, whether its a data center or a dense housing development. Our natural resources need protection that is possible with the adoption and consistent application of land use policies. Federal actions such as the expiration of affordable care subsidies, cuts to SNAP, cuts to Federal grants and attempts to restrict ballot access hurt Kane County residents. State and local government officials must defend basic rights and ensure that state and local ordinances intended to protect property, privacy and people are enforced.

If you are an incumbent, describe your main contributions. Tell us of any important initiatives you’ve led. If you are a challenger, what would you bring to the board and what would your priority be?

I am a challenger and my focus will be to lean in to best practices in governance and administration. Kane is the fifth largest county in Illinois with a population in excess of 500,000 and the only county in the top ten without a professional, nonpartisan administrator. Elected officials are the representatives of the people, not experts in management, public budgeting or administration. The responsibility is to act in the best interest of the people in a thoughtful, deliberative way guided by facts, data and economic realities. Being nonpartisan is essential to provide stable progress toward board endorsed strategic priorities so that plans established in one administration are not abandoned by the next. The residents I meet with are concerned about highway safety, school crowding and the environmental impacts of development. New development must be sustainable and consistent with land use policies and stewardship responsibilities.

What initiatives would you support to increase revenue and/or save money?

1) Using the PTELL option (Property Tax Extension Limitation Law) provides a hedge against inflation so over time as the cost of operations increases, revenues also increase.

2) It takes people to run a government with the array of programs and services provided by the county, but every position needs to be justified with an eye toward eliminating duplication.

3) Avoid over reliance on high priced consultants.

4) Hold department heads and electeds accountable for budget management.

5) Negotiate increased cost share for employee health insurance and discontinue free coverage for board members.

Is there a specific service or amenity that is lacking in the county? If so, how do you propose to provide and fund it?

The county connects unicorporated areas to essential services that are provided by municipalities in incorporated villages and cities. The amenity that is absent in unincorporated Kane County and also some incorporated areas is access to a public library. As a response to the question, I am presenting the lack of this amenity as a deficiency, not as a proposal. If there is a substantial demand for library service, a proposal to expand access, determine a sustainable funding plan and define project scope would required beginning with an assessment of community need and support. At this point I only offer the question: How could Kane County and Illinois collaborate to expand public library access to residents in unserved areas?

Does there need to be more bipartisanship and cooperation on the county board? If yes, what would you do to help make that happen?

Yes.

The strength of an elected board is the collective wisdom of all members who, through deliberation, deliver the best outcomes for the community. Wisdom and deliberation are rarely evident when there is a partisan divide in the room.

What is your stance on county board members' pay? Is it too high, too low, or just right? Would you propose any changes?

Serving as a Kane County Board member is a part-time role and the duties and expectations need to be consistent with a part-time position. Base compensation is in the middle of other counties of similar size, but in the 2026 budget, taxpayers also funded health and dental insurance at 100% for board members at a cost of nearly $300,000. I oppose providing board members health coverage benefit at no cost for a part-time position.

What is the most important issue facing the county in your district and how should it be addressed?

District 15 is in the agricultural corridor and residents express concern over the importance of farmland protection, the impact of uncontrolled development on public services, the environment and concern over the impact of data centers in the state and county. People expect guardrails to protect their property and quality of life. There is concern that data centers will raise electricity rates to consumers, increase pollution and over consume water needed for agriculture and people. Municipal annexations for development are viewed as land grabs and people are frustrated when community objections to development projects are ignored.