Amy Johnson: 2026 candidate for Kane County Sheriff

Bio

Party: Democratic

Office sought: Kane County Sheriff

City: Sugar Grove

Age: 45

Occupation: Law enforcement, Undersheriff

Previous offices held: None

Q&A

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

I’m running for sheriff because I believe Kane County needs experienced, steady leadership focused on service, accountability, and trust. I’ve spent my entire career in this office, learning it from the ground up, and I understand how decisions made inside the sheriff’s office affect the people we serve every day.

I care about this county and the communities that make it home. Public safety is about more than enforcement, it’s about professionalism and working with the community to solve problems before they grow.

What motivates me most is making sure people feel safe calling the sheriff’s office and confident in how they’ll be treated. I’ve seen how trust (or the lack of it) can shape outcomes for victims, families, and the community as a whole.

I’m motivated by building systems that work: supporting deputies with clear expectations and training, holding ourselves accountable, and partnering with the community so problems are addressed early instead of after harm occurs.

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 sheriff’s office and the county board have different roles, but they work best when the relationship is professional and collaborative. The sheriff is responsible for public safety operations, while the county board provides fiscal oversight and policy direction. Clear communication, transparency, and respect for those boundaries are essential. When that balance is right, the county is safer and taxpayer dollars are used responsibly.

I would focus on consistent communication, transparency, and mutual respect for each other’s roles. That means providing clear, timely information to the county board, being honest about challenges and needs, and working collaboratively on long-term planning. At the same time, it’s important to respect operational boundaries so everyone can do their job effectively. That approach builds trust and leads to better outcomes for the county.

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 has a reputation for being professional and careful when releasing information, particularly because we serve unincorporated areas and often work alongside multiple agencies. Accuracy and protecting the integrity of investigations have always been priorities.

That said, public expectations around communication have evolved. People want timely, clear information, and the media plays an important role in that. As sheriff, my focus would be on maintaining accuracy and legal responsibility while also improving consistency, clarity, and accessibility in how information is shared.

If elected, I would focus on being more proactive and consistent in how information is shared, while still protecting investigations and privacy. That includes clearer timelines for updates, plain-language explanations of what we can and can’t release, and making sure residents in unincorporated areas know where to find accurate information. The goal is to improve clarity and trust without compromising safety or the law.

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

Staffing and deployment are ongoing challenges in law enforcement, and the question isn’t just whether we have enough deputies, but whether we’re using the resources we have effectively. Kane County is large and diverse, and needs can change by time of day, location, and type of call.

We continuously review calls for service, response times, and staffing patterns to make sure deputies are deployed where they’re most needed. As sheriff, my focus would be on using data to guide deployment, improving scheduling efficiency, and planning ahead so we maintain visibility and responsiveness without overextending our workforce.

I would focus on refining deployment rather than making drastic changes. That means continuing to use data to adjust staffing by time of day and location, improving scheduling to reduce unnecessary overtime, and making sure supervisors have the flexibility to shift resources when patterns change.

I’d also prioritize long-term staffing planning so we’re not constantly reacting to shortages. The goal is smarter, more responsive deployment that improves visibility and response without overextending deputies.

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

I’m the best person to serve as sheriff because I bring experience, perspective, and a deep understanding of this office. I’ve spent more than two decades working in nearly every part of the sheriff’s office, from front line operations to executive leadership, so I understand how decisions affect both public safety and the people we serve.

I lead with professionalism, accountability, and respect for the law. I know what works, where challenges exist, and how to move the office forward responsibly. Most importantly, I’m committed to leading in a way that earns trust within the organization and throughout the community. That’s what Kane County deserves in its sheriff.