Kane chairman Pierog seeks another term, challenger Bell urges change at forum

Kane County Board chairman candidates — incumbent Democrat Corinne Pierog and her GOP challenger Lance Bell — shared their backgrounds and platforms during a recent candidate forum.

Bell, of South Elgin, said during the Sept. 30 forum that he is a marketing and technology CEO and chief artificial intelligence officer for a software company he and his wife started 15 years ago.

Pierog, of Batavia, is a former management consultant who has served as the county board chairman since 2020.

In response to a question about compromise, Pierog said the county board has 24 members, “each one with their own unique opinions.”

“One of the ways we got through … was when we started putting together the responsible bidder ordinance,” Pierog said.

She said she worked with board members, business contractors, labor and lawyers.

The measure was “refined and developed … and now the county has passed it.”

Bell said in software development, “We get into conversations about the pros and the cons of the different technology and which one selected would best for the end user.

“When working with my software development team leaders, we come together on consensus to find that sweet spot,” Bell said. “Sometimes we fail, and then we pivot. And pivoting happens a lot in life.”

With Kane County planning to ask voters in April to weigh in on whether it should create a new sales tax to help pay for expenses, Bell said he opposes tax increases.

“There are those who think that taxes are fine,” Bell said. “And they’re OK giving up a martini a week for taxes to go higher,” Bell said. “And then I think there’s the rest of us who feel the burden of everything that we’ve suffered over the last four years.

“So I’m against all tax hikes.”

Bell said the county’s revenue goes up every year, but expenses are way higher.

Pierog defended seeking a 0.75% sales tax increase, saying the reason the county needs more revenue is because its levy has been frozen for 14 years.

“Kane County has the lowest tax rate — I’m talking just the county, not schools, not municipal — within all of the collar counties, we are the lowest,” Pierog said. “What we’re asking for is three-quarters of a cent on a dollar purchase, meaning $100 — you’d pay 75 cents.”

The Leagues of Women Voters of the Aurora Area, Elgin Area, and Central Kane County co-hosted the forum.