Rickert officially resigns as Kane County treasurer

David Rickert, the longest-serving treasurer in Kane County history, has resigned, setting in motion a process to fill an elected position that will instead be served by an appointee for the next two years.

Rickert sent a text message to the Daily Herald Saturday evening saying, "I formally resign my position as treasurer effective Sunday, 10 p.m." County board members and board chair Corinne Pierog confirmed receipt of Rickert's formal letter of resignation Tuesday.

The announcement follows a bipartisan call for Rickert to step down as treasurer or relinquish the job he accepted as the chief financial officer for Winnebago County after Pierog's victory over Rickert and her swearing-in as the first female Democrat to become Kane County Board chairman. Last week, Pierog said recent conversations with Rickert indicated his resignation was "tenuous."

That led to a contingent of Republicans and Democrats on the board calling for Rickert to resign to avoid collecting two six-figure government salaries and dedicate full attention to one of the positions.

County board member Ken Shepro, who is also chairman of the Kane County Republican Party, said Rickert ran an "effective and efficient" office throughout his tenure.

"He restored cooperation, established a firm working relationship with the assessor and the auditor, which has served the financial benefit of the county," Shepro said. "And he has faithfully discharged his state mandate to receive and safely keep the revenue and other public monies of the county."

Shepro said the party's central committee was scheduled to meet Tuesday, Jan. 5, and would likely discuss candidates to put forward to fill the vacancy. The appointment is Pierog's to make, with the advice and consent of the county board, but statute requires her to appoint a Republican or at least someone who pulled a GOP ballot during the last primary. With two years left on Rickert's term, the appointee would have a major advantage in the next election for treasurer if he or she decided to try and keep the job.

Pierog was attending to a family medical emergency Tuesday but acknowledged Rickert's resignation in a text message. She said her understanding is she has 60 days to fill the seat.