Rob Russell: 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: South ElginWebsite: www.russell4coroner.comTwitter: Candidate did not respond.Facebook: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Kane County Coroner Age: 48Family: Wife-SusanTwo Daughters- Brooke and BriannaTwo Sons- Bo and BrockTwo Dogs- Bear and BooOccupation: Kane County CoronerEducation: BS-Criminology NIUMA-Political and Justice Studies- Gov StCivic involvement: South Elgin LionElgin United CivicsElected offices held: Only Coroner (Kane County)Questions Answers Can the coroner's office be expected to always be on budget? Or are there unpredictable expenses that will always create the potential for going over budget?First let's define budget. A budget is an office holders best estimate at what it will cost to run an office for the next year. Early on in my tenure, I was given a budget that was based on the previous coroner's way of performing death investigation. That budget was grossly underfunded to properly run a coroner's office according to national best practices. I felt it was my responsibility to fight for what the office needed and did so. We finally were able to obtain a respectable budget which allowed me to stay within (under) budget in 2015 and 2016.Does the coroner's office have appropriate staffing to ensure fair work hours and minimize overtime costs?With the current staffing, overtime will continue to be an issue. Currently we have the highest deputy to incident ratio (600 incidents per deputy) in the collar counties. All of the other counties have a 200-400 incident per deputy ratio annually. I believe long term, it would be better to hire one or two deputies and eliminate most after hours pay. Currently I do not have enough deputies to run a 12 or 24 hr straight time shift. Six appears to be the absolute minimum to make that happen. We currently have 5.Does the coroner's office need to be updated? If so, how would the new or upgraded facility be paid for?Yes the facility needs to be updated. Currently, my deputies do not have a locker room or showering facilities to immediately clean up in a biohazard situation. I have no place for grieving families to have privacy. The current building is an old updated garage that does not heat or cool well which makes it inefficient. We only have one autopsy station when most counties half our size have at least two. Smells still creep into the office area even after several attempts to fix that. An updated facilities can be paid for over time with preparation and common sense.What role, if any, does the coroner's office have in preventing deaths and engaging in local advocacy, such as encouraging the use of Narcan and collecting unwanted prescription drugs?Since I am doing all of these things, it will be no surprise that I believe it is an essential part of the office. We deal with very difficult subject matter. If we can make a difference in reducing preventable deaths then why wouldn't we? For example, in 2014, I had a heart scan done and partnered with a local hospital to promote getting a heart scan. Several people read the article and the scans sold out. According to the hospital, 8 people needed immediate attention. As coroner, I will continue to do whatever I can to prevent early death.Is there an ongoing need to promote public awareness of the coroner's office and improve the office's image? If so, how should such promotions be funded?yes I believe there is. Many people still do not know that this office is a Law Enforcement office. Many still do not realize that the medical component (actual autopsy) of the office is contracted to a Forensic Pathologist. Many still do not know the importance of the investigative portion and how it relates to criminal prosecution and civil liability. This can only be communicated through public awareness education. Although it is perfectly allowable and proper to fund this through the office, I hope to fund this through a Coroner's Foundation which will soon be set up.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?It is important to me that people know that this office is built on proven principles that are bigger than any one person. This office is built on the nation's best practices in death investigation. As the first accredited coroner's office in the state, I feel confident that we are doing the right things. The people of Kane County should be proud! Many believe that we are worth investing into. My hope is that the county board will help me maintain the high standards we have by investing into an appropriate facility to help us maintain accreditation.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Luis Fortuno-Former Governor of Puerto RicoWhat is the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?I was the last of 8 kids-I learned to shareIf life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?Would have been more focused in collegeWhat was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?Athletics-taught me how to battle with honorIf you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?never give up