Luis ‘Lou’ Santoyo: 2026 candidate for Kane County Sheriff

Bio

Party: Republican

Office sought: Kane County Sheriff

City: Elburn

Age: 56

Occupation: Assistant Warden, employed by the Illinois Department of Corrections

Previous offices held: Elburn Village Trustee since 2023

Q&A

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

I’m running for sheriff because my understanding of violence, justice and public safety isn’t abstract — it’s personal and earned. When I was 8 years old, living on 18th Street on Chicago’s West Side, I witnessed a man shot to death just steps from my home. I stood frozen beside him with my younger brother, powerless, as no help came. That moment stayed with me. Since I couldn’t walk away from it, I decided to run toward it.

That experience led me to a 28-year career in law enforcement, working violent crimes, shootings and complex investigations in one of the largest police departments in the state. Every case I worked was driven by a simple mission: make sure justice shows up where it once didn’t.

What motivates me most is trust — trust that law enforcement will respond, be present and serve every community fairly. Kane County deserves a sheriff focused on visibility, accountability and public safety, not politics. I’m running to lead with experience, integrity and a clear understanding of the real human cost when systems fail.

How would you describe the relationship between the sheriff’s office and the county board? What steps would you take to improve that relationship?

The relationship between the sheriff’s office and the county board today is functional, but it has room to improve. Both serve the same residents from different roles, and when communication becomes reactive or limited to budget season, it can lead to misunderstandings — especially around staffing, resources and public safety priorities.

The county board includes elected officials from both parties, with a Democratic majority. In a time of deep national division, my approach would be deliberately nonpartisan and focused on public safety, community needs and fiscal integrity. The sheriff’s office should never be politically driven — it exists to serve everyone.

If elected, I will work hard to earn the board’s respect and trust through honesty, transparency and consistent communication. That means engaging early and regularly, sharing clear information about operational needs and budget realities, and addressing disagreements directly and professionally — not through the media.

My goal is a productive working relationship based on facts, accountability and a shared commitment to keeping Kane County safe while respecting the taxpayers who fund that work.

How would you describe the sheriff’s office's reputation when it comes to dealing with the media and providing public information about crime in unincorporated areas? How would that change if you are elected?

The sheriff’s office’s recent dealings with the media have included highly visible moments that did not reflect well on the office. Coverage of the 2023 chase and shooting near the Batavia-Geneva border, followed by public disputes with Aurora officials, created the appearance of conflict rather than clear communication and collaboration. The optics were damaging and distracted from the core mission of public safety.

From my experience, trust is built through transparency, consistency and professionalism. If elected, I would ensure the sheriff’s office provides timely, accurate information about crime in unincorporated areas and uses the media to inform the public — not escalate disputes.

I would establish clear media protocols and emphasize facts, restraint and accountability. Most importantly, I would prioritize strong, cooperative relationships with municipal law enforcement partners and surrounding counties, because effective public safety depends on collaboration, not conflict.

Are there enough deputies on the street, and are they properly deployed? What changes would you make?

Based on what I’m hearing from township leaders and residents, deputies are not consistently visible on the street, and response times in some areas reflect that strain. At the same time, the county jail is often short-staffed, leading to mandated overtime. That is not just a staffing concern; it is a safety issue for deputies, detainees and the public.

These challenges indicate that staffing and deployment are not consistently aligned with the demand for service. When resources are stretched too thin or assigned inefficiently, visibility drops, response times suffer and fatigue increases.

If elected, I would conduct a comprehensive review of staffing and deployment focused on placing deputies where they are needed most — on patrol in unincorporated areas, in the jail and in court operations. That includes reassessing administrative and specialty assignments, reducing unnecessary overhead and redirecting resources toward front line public safety functions.

The goal is smarter deployment, improved safety and sustainable staffing — not simply more spending. Public safety is strongest when deputies are visible, supported and deployed based on real needs across Kane County.

Why are you the best person to serve in this role?

I am the best person for this role because I bring three decades of real, lived experience in law enforcement and corrections. I served in the second-largest county in the country and within the third-largest police department in Illinois, handling a volume and complexity of investigative work few officers ever encounter — violent crime, organized crime, shootings, crimes against children and human trafficking.

In addition to my policing background, I currently serve as an assistant warden, giving me direct, executive-level experience with jail operations, staffing, safety and compliance. I understand the realities of corrections from the inside.

I also bring a master’s degree in criminal behavior and specialized training, including the Chicago Police Detective Academy, state-certified hostage negotiations, U.S. Secret Service dignitary protection and FBI training in forensic facial imaging. I am fully bilingual in English and Spanish and have worked effectively across diverse communities.

Kane County needs experienced leadership ready on day one. That is what I bring to this role.