Amy Johnson: 2026 candidate for Kane County sheriff

Bio

Office sought: Kane County sheriff

City: Sugar Grove

Age: 45

Party: Democrat

Previous offices held: None

Q&A

Why are you running for this office? Is there a particular issue that motivates you? If so, what?

I'm running for Sheriff because I believe Kane County deserves experienced, steady leadership grounded in service, accountability, and trust. After spending my entire career with the Kane County Sheriff's Office, I understand the challenges facing our communities and the responsibilities we have to the people we serve.

I care deeply about Kane County and believe public safety is about more than enforcement. It requires professionalism, integrity, transparency, and strong partnerships between law enforcement and the community.

What motivates me most is ensuring residents feel safe calling the Sheriff's Office and confident they will be treated fairly, respectfully, and professionally. Throughout my career, I've seen how trust can strengthen communities, support victims, and improve public safety outcomes.

As Sheriff, I will focus on supporting deputies through training and leadership development, maintaining high professional standards, and working collaboratively with community partners to address challenges before they become crises. My commitment is to lead a Sheriff's Office that is responsive, accountable, and worthy of the public's trust.

What would you bring to the position and what would your priority be?

My top priorities as Sheriff would be public safety, accountability, and community trust. Having spent my career with the Kane County Sheriff's Office, I understand both the challenges facing law enforcement and the importance of maintaining public confidence.

My first priority is ensuring deputies have the training, resources, and leadership necessary to protect our communities effectively and professionally. My second priority is strengthening transparency and accountability so residents have confidence that the Sheriff's Office operates with integrity and uses taxpayer resources responsibly.

My third priority is building strong partnerships with residents, schools, businesses, local governments, and community organizations. Public safety is strongest when law enforcement and the community work together to address concerns before they become larger problems.

As Sheriff, I will focus on proactive leadership, fiscal responsibility, and continuous improvement while maintaining the highest standards of professionalism and public service.

What type of crime should be the sheriff office’s top target in the next few years? Please explain why. What steps will you take to address the priorities as you see them?

The Sheriff's Office should focus on crimes that pose the greatest threat to public safety and target vulnerable residents, particularly financial scams, drug-related crime, and violent offenders. Financial fraud, especially against seniors, continues to grow and can devastate victims financially and emotionally. Substance abuse contributes to crime, overdoses, and challenges for families throughout our communities.

To address these issues, I will support intelligence-led policing, invest in training and technology, and strengthen partnerships with local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies. I will also work closely with schools, community organizations, and service providers to promote prevention, education, and early intervention.

Effective public safety requires both enforcement and collaboration. By protecting vulnerable residents, holding offenders accountable, and addressing the root causes of crime, we can continue building safer communities throughout Kane County.

Describe your position on the allocation of resources in the sheriff's office. Are personnel allocated as they should be? Are there capital expenses or other budgetary items that the office must address, and, if so, how do you propose to address them?

The Sheriff's Office must allocate resources based on public safety needs, operational demands, and responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars. Personnel are our most valuable resource, and staffing decisions should be regularly evaluated to ensure deputies and staff are deployed where they can have the greatest impact.

My budget priorities would include public safety, employee training, officer wellness, and technology that improves efficiency, accountability, and service to residents. Investments in communications systems, investigative tools, and critical equipment help deputies perform their duties safely and effectively.

As Sheriff, I will take a data-driven approach to budgeting, work closely with county leaders to identify efficiencies, and ensure resources are managed responsibly while meeting the evolving needs of Kane County.

Name one concrete program you’ll create or personnel move you’ll make to improve efficiency in the office or make it more successful. Explain how it will be funded and how you will overcome any obstacles to initiating it.

One initiative I would prioritize is strengthening Kane County's response to mental health crises through implementation of the Community Emergency Services and Support Act (CESSA), which improves coordination among mental health providers, EMS, and law enforcement.

Too often, law enforcement becomes the primary response to situations that are better addressed through behavioral health services. By improving coordination and expanding Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training, we can provide more appropriate responses while improving public safety.

Funding opportunities include grants, existing CESSA resources, and strategic budgeting. The biggest challenge will be ensuring consistent coordination among multiple agencies and service providers. I would address that through regular collaboration, clearly defined responsibilities, and measurable performance goals.

This investment would improve outcomes for individuals in crisis, reduce repeat calls for service, support deputies and first responders, and connect people to treatment before situations escalate