Mohammad “Mo” Iqbal: 2026 candidate for Kane County Board District 19

Bio

Office sought: Kane County Board District 19

Party: Democrat

City: Elgin

Age: 81

Previous offices held: Kane County Board member (2018-Present)

Q&A

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

As a lawyer and County Board member, I have been a steady advocate for taxpayers, responsible government, and Kane County families. My service on the County Board and Forest Preserve District has strengthened my belief that local government must protect what makes our county strong while planning wisely for the future. Specifically, I am running to:

1. Keep Kane County safe and affordable. Kane County is a strong place to live and raise a family. We must preserve that quality of life through sound public safety policies and responsible decisions that keep our communities secure.

2. Fight for fairer property taxes. Property taxes remain too high for many homeowners. Kane County has reduced expenses, but we must keep demanding fiscal discipline and work with state leaders to ease the burden on residential taxpayers.

3. Protect open space and conservation. The Forest Preserve District has preserved prairies, woodlands, and natural areas. We must continue that work so future generations inherit clean air, open land, and a sustainable environment.

If you are an incumbent, describe your main contributions. Tell us of any important initiatives you’ve led. If you are a challenger, what would you bring to the board and what would your priority be?

When I entered county politics in 2018, Kane County faced several specific problems. The Randall Road intersections at I-90 and Route 20 had some of the highest accident counts in the Elgin area. The County Board had also defunded the GPS ankle-monitoring program for defendants awaiting trial, contributing to jail overcrowding. Since then, the GPS program has been restored, and major improvements to Randall Road have moved forward. The Randall Road/I-90 project, including an estimated $80 million bridge replacement, is critical to economic growth in northern Kane County, and I have consistently advocated to keep it moving.

• helped restore the county’s authority to license fiber-optic lines, working with Sen. DeWitte on SB2587;

• supported legal cannabis sales in Kane County;

• supported solar energy projects;

• supported Forest Preserve District efforts to acquire and protect more open land;

• helped open a Kane County satellite office in the district to better serve northern Kane County residents. I have also consistently pushed to reduce spending, prevent waste, and stop unauthorized use of taxpayer dollars.

What initiatives would you support to increase revenue and/or save money?

My approach to fiscal management in Kane County is straightforward: reduce wasteful spending, deliver all statutorily required services efficiently and responsibly, improve productivity through appropriate use of technology, including AI, and strengthen the county’s revenue base by creating an environment that attracts and supports small businesses.

Is there a specific service or amenity that is lacking in the county? If so, how do you propose to provide and fund it?

Accountability is lacking. Kane County taxpayers deserve clearer oversight of spending, services, and results. Since 2023, the Sheriff’s Office has exceeded its budget by over $10 million, yet concerns were not raised publicly until I addressed county committees as a private citizen. That shows why board members must be willing to connect the dots, ask hard questions, and hold officials accountable for taxpayer dollars. ADA compliance remains unfinished even though federal law requires public facilities to remove barriers and provide access to government services.

The county also needs an updated review of mandated services; the last consultant report was issued in 2015, and residents deserve to know what services are required, whether they are being delivered, and where efficiencies are possible.

Infrastructure is another major gap. Transportation funds have been diverted, contributing to delays in numerous projects while population growth increases demand on roads. I also support studying a professional county manager form of government since the current committee structure has struggled with personnel matters and capital projects.

Does there need to be more bipartisanship and cooperation on the county board? If yes, what would you do to help make that happen?

County government works best when board members focus on taxpayers, services, and results rather than party labels. In my experience, many county issues are practical: roads, public safety, budgeting, land use, and basic services. Those decisions should be made on the merits, and I have supported good ideas regardless of which party proposed them. More bipartisanship is important, but it is not enough by itself. The deeper problem is how county government is organized. The current committee structure too often diffuses responsibility, slows capital projects, and makes it harder to hold anyone accountable for performance or spending. Kane County should consider moving toward a professional county manager form of government, where day-to-day administration is handled by qualified management and elected board members focus on policy, oversight, transparency, and fiscal discipline. That would reduce political friction, improve accountability, and help residents see better results from their tax dollars.

What is your stance on county board members' pay? Is it too high, too low, or just right? Would you propose any changes?

The compensation should be reviewed as a taxpayer-funded package, not just as a salary line. Board members receive salary, health and dental insurance, and travel reimbursement. Taken together, that package is too generous for a part-time elected office. Public service should be compensated fairly, but it should also reflect the limited time commitment, the nature of the role, and the burden on taxpayers who fund these benefits.

Health and dental insurance: These benefits are the clearest example of the problem. The taxpayer-funded insurance can cost more than the salary itself. Because County Board service is part-time, members should not receive taxpayer-funded health or dental coverage. I have consistently opposed this benefit and have refused it during my eight years on the Board.

Travel Expense reimbursement: Reimbursement should be limited, transparent, and tied to necessary county business. Some claims have been excessive. I have opposed unnecessary reimbursements and, like the insurance benefit, have refused travel expense reimbursement throughout my service. This is a matter of fairness, accountability, and trust.

What is the most important issue facing the county in your district and how should it be addressed?

• The most important issues facing my district are high property taxes, strained transportation infrastructure, and the need for more preserved open space.

• Like residents across Kane County, families in my district are burdened by property taxes. The County must continue reducing expenses, demand fiscal discipline, and focus taxpayer dollars on essential services.

• Randall Road, which runs through my district, is Kane County’s main north-south corridor. The I-90/Randall Road and Route 20/Randall Road intersections are vital to local residents and northern Kane County. As Randall Road nears capacity, more drivers are using Tyrrell Road in Gilberts as a bypass, but alignment issues must be fixed. The County should reverse its decision to divert transportation tax revenue to the general fund and restore that money to road and intersection improvements.

• Finally, the district needs more open space. The Forest Preserve District should continue acquiring and preserving land so future generations inherit clean air, open land, and a sustainable environment.