Kane board members talk re-election
Five more Kane County Board members -- four Republicans and a Democrat -- will seek re-election, they announced Tuesday.
Republicans John Hoscheit of St. Charles, Mike Kenyon of South Elgin and Don Wolfe and Jackie Tredup, both of Elgin, hope to hold onto the board's GOP majority. Democrat Rudy Neuberger, of Aurora, also is seeking re-election to a final 4-year term.
That brings to nine the number of board members seeking re-election. Half of the board's 26 members -- plus board Chairman Karen McConnaughay, who announced two months ago she will seek a second term -- are up for re-election in 2008.
Only Paul Greviskes, an Aurora Democrat, has confirmed he will not seek another term in order to campaign for a judicial seat. The rest have yet to announce.
No challengers have emerged to face the incumbents. The primary election is Feb. 5.
Hoscheit, who also serves as president of the county's forest preserve commission, said he wants to continue guiding the forest preserve's ongoing open-space acquisition effort. He was first elected in 1996 to represent District 12, which includes most of Wayne and St. Charles' east side.
"We're midstream on a lot of projects, especially at the forest preserve," said Hoscheit, a 48-year-old attorney.
A major project Hoscheit wants to see through in his district is the construction of a bridge over the Fox River at Stearns Road in St. Charles Township. Officials broke ground on the $150 million project last year.
Kenyon, a 63-year-old dairy farmer, is seeking a second 4-year term. He is chairman of the board's public service committee and a lifelong Kane County resident. District 16 includes most of South Elgin, east and west of the Fox River.
Wolfe and Tredup both were elected in 1996. Wolf represents District 18 on Elgin's near west side. Tredup's District 22 lies just to the west.
Wolfe, 57, is a real estate appraiser. He is vice chairman of both the county board and the board's executive committee.
Tredup, 65, is vice chairman of the board's finance committee.
Neuberger also was elected in 1996 and said if he is re-elected next year, it likely would be his last term. Neuberger, 58, is a wastewater treatment plant operator.