Chris Lauzen: Candidate Profile

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Note: Answers provided have not been edited for grammar, misspellings or typos. In some instances, candidate claims that could not be immediately verified have been omitted. Jump to:BioQA Bio City: AuroraWebsite: www.lauzen.comTwitter: Candidate did not respond.Facebook: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Kane County Board Chairman Age: 63Family: Married to wife, Sarah, for 34 years with four sons:USMC Capt Ted (Sarah, daughter Caroline) Lauzen, a Marine Corps pilot;Elliot Lauzen, investment banking analyst, New York CityUS Navy Lt Hans Lauzen, assigned to Pentagon, Washington, DCRob Lauzen, investment banking analyst, New York CityOccupation: Kane County Board ChairmanEducation: MBA, Harvard Business School, Boston, MACPA, University of IllinoisBS with Honors in Management Science/English, Duke University, Durham, NCCivic involvement: Geneva Lions Club, Compassion Foundation Board of Directors, Holy Angels School Committee, Fox Valley Maoris Rugby Team, Heart of Illinois POW/MIA Assn, Sons of the American Legion, Illinois Republican National Hispanic AssemblyElected offices held: Kane County Board Chairman, Elected: 2012Illinois State Senator, 25th District, Elected: 2002, 2006, 2010Illinois State Senator, 21st District, Elected: 1992, 1996, 2000I served on: Senate Revenue Committee Senate Appropriations Committees Senate Pension and Investments Committee Senate Legislative Audit Commission Illinois Economic and Fiscal CommissionKane County Public Building Commission, approx. 1988-1992Questions Answers Do you support the push to keep the county's tax levy frozen? How long is it realistic for that freeze to remain in place?Of course we should continue to push to keep county property tax levies frozen.This is the clearest contrast between my opponent and me. You can vote for the former chief legal advisor to the Board who was paid more than $540,000 while he was at least partially responsible for raising your property taxes by 50%, or me at zero increase over five years.As Chairman, my Board service of diligent fiscal oversight and strong long-range planning has kept the property tax levy frozen saving taxpayers millions of dollars.Freezing property tax levies requires political will, cooperation, self-discipline and accountability.What are your views on county elected officials accepting campaign contributions from companies and people who do business with the county?Elected officials should limit their acceptance of campaign contributions from companies that receive contracts and financial proceeds from the county.I have established self-imposed campaign contribution limits from companies and individuals who receive contracts and financial proceeds from the county; comply with all Kane County ordinances regarding disclosures; and, adhere to stringent Illinois campaign disclosure laws for all contributions.Do you support continued funding and the idea for Kane County Connects? If so, where should that funding come from?I agree with the unanimous County Board opinion/vote that Kane County Connects should continue to be supported from current sources.We are the 5th largest county in the 5th largest state in the country with 1,300 employees, 523,000 constituents, and a $250,000,000 budget. To suggest that we should not spend .036 of one penny of our budget dollars to communicate with all stakeholders is merely bad "political theater" at campaign time.Kane County Board saves money with no PR department, no costly printed newsletter, and no Springfield lobbyist.See for yourself what 8200 readers enjoy every morning. Sign-up at www.countyofkane.org.What role does the chairman have in setting the tone for relationships with other county elected officials and offices, particularly in regard to the establishment and maintenance of the budgets for the elected offices?The Board and Chairman have total responsibility to taxpayers for budget performance, but only limited authority to enforce agreements because of elected countywide officials' "internal control" statutes.All (but one) departments and agencies have worked cooperatively to live within their budgets to freeze the property tax levy. However, the Coroner has demonstrated that an elected official can tell the Board anything, even sign a three-year specific budgeted amount agreement, then spend on whatever he decides, and the Board basically has to pay the bills.Therefore, the voters have the ultimate fiscal authority to discipline and replace anyone who consistently overspends.Please list any elected office you have ever run for and what the result of that election was. Have you ever been appointed to fill an unexpired term?1992 State Senate â#8364;#8220; won Primary, won General1996 State Senate â#8364;#8220; won Primary, won General1998 State Comptroller â#8364;#8220; won Primary, lost General2000 State Senate â#8364;#8220; won Primary, won General2002 State Senate â#8364;#8220; won Primary, won General2006 State Senate â#8364;#8220; won Primary, won General2008 US Congress â#8364;#8220; lost Primary2010 State Senate â#8364;#8220; won Primary, won General2012 Kane County Board Chairman â#8364;#8220; won Primary, won GeneralI have never been appointed to fill an unexpired term.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?I am proud of progress that has been made by the Board and our staff by working together. It's always easy to criticize.Kane County services are recognized regionally, statewide and nationally. County Board leadership is bipartisan, gender and race balanced. We have opened financial, appointment, and communications information to the public. Four years ago, I promised to do my best to freeze the property tax levy, foster management best practices, and treat people as respectfully as possible. I have kept those commitments.I have brought accountability and transparency to Kane County financial affairs through innovation, hardwork, teamspirit, and taxpayer-first-mentality.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Candidate did not respond.What is the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?Candidate did not respond.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?Candidate did not respond.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?Candidate did not respond.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Candidate did not respond.