Wegman for Kane County treasurer

Having a front-row seat to his more than three decades in elected office, we can confidently say that Chris Lauzen is a competent and frequently effective public servant.

As an Illinois state senator, the Aurora Republican helped lead the charge on measures to reduce property taxes for seniors, lower prescription costs and cut “pork barrel” spending.

As Kane County Board chair, he put a freeze on property taxes and reduced the county’s debt.

And now as county treasurer, he’s significantly increased the county’s investment income, albeit with an assist from an influx of federal COVID relief money.

But with Lauzen, there always seems to be a “but.” He all too often finds himself engaged in unnecessary feuds with fellow elected leaders, including former coroner Rob Russell and former state’s attorney Joe McMahon. As chair, his hiring practices were questioned and former employees complained of mistreatment. And he irritated many when he recruited candidates with Republican backgrounds to run as Democrats for county board seats.

Now as treasurer, Lauzen has come under fire over tax bills sent to about 200,000 homes and business in May that many — this editorial board included — found uncomfortably similar to campaign literature. State’s Attorney Jamie Mosser declined to launch an investigation into the bills, but four Democratic board members are pursuing an independent inquiry.

Lauzen chalks it all up to politics — and there may be some truth to that. But voters at this point have to be wondering if all the “buts” outweigh his otherwise competent work.

Complicating that question for us is that he’s facing a likewise effective and competent elected official in the Nov. 3 election.

Democratic challenger Penny Wegman of Elgin has served as county auditor since 2020. Last year, she was named Auditor of the Year by the Illinois Association of County Auditors in recognition of her increasing the office’s transparency, producing an audit that led to cost savings and creating an internship program. A year earlier, she was named the International Association of Government Officials' Innovator of the Year.

Prior to her election as auditor, Wegman served on the county board and on the Gail Borden Public Library Board in Elgin. She may not have Lauzen’s decades in public office, but Wegman is far from a neophyte.

If elected treasurer, Wegman says she wants to make the office more user-friendly, make navigating its website easier and seek more investment options for county holdings. As expected, she’s criticized Lauzen for his sometimes strained relationships with other county officials.

Lauzen, if elected to what he says would be his final term, wants to continue boosting the county’s investment returns and recruit and train replacements for several longtime employees who are expected to retire soon. He’s knocked Wegman for employee turnover in the auditor’s office and for not calling attention to budget overruns from the sheriff’s office.

Lauzen has served his community ably for more than 30 years, including the last four as county treasurer. He deserves credit and thanks for his work.

However, we believe Wegman could serve as treasurer capably, and without the controversies that often seem to find Lauzen. We endorse Wegman.