Pierog blames Lauzen for loss of pot tax revenue

'This is incompetence at the highest level'

Kane County Chronicle By BRENDA SCHORY 5:17 am 10/31/20
 

BATAVIA – Corinne Pieorg, the Democratic candidate for Kane County Board chairman in the Nov. 3 general election, blamed current Board Chairman Chris Lauzen after learning that the county missed out on tax revenue from marijuana sales because the paperwork wasn’t filed with the Illinois Department of Revenue.

 

“This is incompetence at the highest level,” Pierog stated in a news release from her campaign.

 

“Once again, Chairman Lauzen and his leadership team have shown the people of Kane County that they cannot be trusted to lead amid a budget crisis,” Pierog stated in the release. “As someone who interacts with struggling families every day, I think it is inconceivable that while the rest of us are sacrificing, our elected officials are not doing the job they were elected to do.”

 

Lauzen has asserted that the screw-up will cost the county $1 million in tax revenue –calculating from Jan. 1 to Sept. 30 this year and Oct. 1, 2020 to June 30, 2021.

 

Lauzen blamed Assistant State’s Attorney Joe Lulves under State’s Attorney Joe McMahon’s supervision.

 

But in an Oct. 28 letter, Lulves blamed Lauzen’s own County Board Office for not filing the paperwork, as the chairman “continues a pattern of avoiding responsibility.”

 

Lulves’ letter details various notices sent to Lauzen’s office about the filing deadline to receive the marijuana tax revenue; Lauzen stated in an email that he never received them.

 

Pierog blamed Lauzen.

 

“A hallmark of leadership is taking responsibility when things go wrong. Once again, Chairman Lauzen and his leadership team are more concerned with pointing fingers than they are in correcting their mistakes,” Pierog stated in the release. “A skilled executive sees the big picture as well as the details. It is time for a change in culture, substance, and stewardship in the chair’s office.”

 

Lauzen disagreed.

 

“This is not a general county failure; it is a specific individual, the failure of Joe Lulves, Assistant State’s Attorney in charge of the Civil Division to do the job he’s paid $153,000 a year in salary and benefits to do,” Lauzen said.

 

“The fact that Corinne tries to splatter mud all over everybody for her political gain is simply irresponsible,” Lauzen said. “It’s not a failure of a team, it’s a failure of the attorney (Lulves.) It’s so gosh darn obvious. … When they don’t do their job, it’s everybody else’s fault. Typical.”

 

Pierog said Lauzen’s leadership team that bears blame for this includes County Treasurer David Rickert – her Republican opponent in the race for County Board Chairman – and Kane County Clerk Jack Cunningham.

 

“The county has very little money and has been all stressed out about the budget and making budget cuts,” Pierog said. “And this is potentially earned revenue he forgot to file the ordinance.”

 

But Rickert said neither he nor his office has anything to do with filing the paperwork for that tax collection.

 

“Once again, she does not understand the duties and responsibilities of the different offices,” Rickert said. “This is an attempt to save her failing campaign. … It’s quite obviously a political maneuver at the last minute. … It has nothing to do with me or my office As much as she wishes it was there, it has nothing to do with my office.”

 

Cunningham also said filing the paperwork with the state was not the responsibility of his office.

 

“Finances are not our responsibility,” Cunningham said. “It’s an oversight. it’s not the end of the world. We all make mistakes – it’s the human element. People are finding fault with everybody else. Live up to it when you make a mistake.”

 

In response, Pierog stated in an email that, "It is obvious that the current leadership would rather blame others and belittle critics than deliver for the county. I am looking forward to bringing accountability back to the Chair’s office."

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Letter to the editor: Corinne Pierog: Best for Kane
The Voice 10/20/20 and Daily Herald 10/28/20

Dear editor; Although Kane County residents face devastating losses from the COVID-19 pandemic, David Rickert, the Kane County treasurer and Republication Party nominee for Kane County Board chair, has stated rather odd priorities: Funding for nature preservation, better coordination of transportation projects, and relief from unfunded State mandates. These are not the correct priorities. That focus will not address the tragic personal losses of our residents, or the dramatic increase in potential foreclosures which are already up 71% over last year.

Kane County has suffered more than 14,000 infections and 340 deaths that shuttered businesses and schools. COVID-19 drove unemployment to more than 16% in the Spring and it still hovers at nine percent. We have businesses going bankrupt, joblessness, food insecurity, homeless, and increasing mental and behavioral health problems. Testing positivity rates are again more than eight percent to put the reopening of businesses and schools in jeopardy.

Kane County is looking at a $10 Million budget loss in its forecast for 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We need the Board to focus on mitigating the COVID-19 pandemic impact on Kane County so that taxpayers can safely return to work and our kids to school. To make that happen we need increased investment in the Kane County health services that provide testing, contract tracing and counseling. We need direction of CARES Act funds to the nonprofits that provide homeless shelters, food pantries, and health services.

I support Corinne Pierog for Kane County Board chair. Corinne will put the Kane County board on the right track with a priority on health and safety. It is time to make it safe for Kane County to go back to work.

Bill Scown
Geneva

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Impact of pandemic big issue in Kane County Board chairman race
AURORA BEACON-NEWS By DAVID SHAROS OCT 19, 2020

The race for Kane County Board chairman in the Nov. 3 election includes Republican David Rickert, who is currently serving as Kane County treasurer, and Corinne Pierog, a Democrat. Current Kane County Board Chairman Chris Lauzen is not running for reelection.

Rickert, 54, of Elgin, said that major issues in the county include concerns about the long-term impact of the
pandemic “on the local economy and non-profits.”
“The first thing people talk about is COVID and the county’s response,” Rickert said. “We need to make sure the first responders have the tools and protective equipment they need. There’s been an uptick recently in COVID, and we need to work with the Health Department to combat the issue.”
COVID-19, Rickert said, has forced the county “to stretch its resources” and said there are checks and balances in place when it comes to dispersing the $92.9 million in aid money the county has received from the federal CARES Act.
“It’s a huge application process and if the funds are inappropriately dispersed, we have to pay them back,” he said. “People are also concerned about the long-term impact on the economy and businesses being able to move forward.” Goals if elected as chairman include “first and foremost the budget” followed by protecting natural resources and continuing to make sure “there is adequate funding for law enforcement personnel,” he said. “For 20 years I’ve been providing the county with investment and financial expertise as a CPA and we were able to get rid of a $14.1 million COVID deficit by using our reserves and not raising property taxes,” Rickert said. “We have a AA bond rating and I would oppose any property tax increase.”
County Board members also serve as forest preserve commissioners, Rickert said, and he wants to continue efforts to protect open space and farm land as well as promote the current Kane County Energy Efficiency Program.
Rickert also said he wants to work with the Kane County Sheriff’s Department and outfit deputies with body
cameras.

Pierog, 69, of Batavia, said residents are concerned “about the health of the county” during the pandemic, as well as businesses not getting stimulus money.
“During the pandemic, people continue to be afraid about what will happen and businesses are scared,” Pierog said. “We have to make sure the Health Department is funded and that masks are available, especially if COVID increases.”
Businesses, Pierog said, are struggling and finding that receiving any stimulus money is challenging. “The maximum small businesses can receive is $20,000 and the paperwork is so tedious and time consuming, people just give up as they don’t have time because they are too busy with the day-to-day operations,” Pierog said.
If elected, Pierog said her goals include “providing good government which is critically important,” addressing water issues and making sure “there is racial parity on every county level.”
“I want to hire a county manager in the next few years that would provide structural change and have the county
board chairman go back to working on policy rather than politics,” she said.
Pierog also wants to address the aquifers in the western portion of the county that “facts, not assumptions” say will be less than adequate in a decade to meet the area’s water needs.
Pierog also want to “blend economic and social justice” and make sure there “is racial parity at every county level.”
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Report praising Rickert, Treasurer's Office draws political ire
Pierog: 'A political puff job using taxpayer money'
Kane County Chronicle by BRENDA SCHORYE 10/18/20 15:40 am

A press release and report praising Kane County Treasurer David Rickert’s property tax collection during the COVID-19 pandemic is either an honest assessment of a job well done or a straight-up political ad to promote Rickert, for county board chairman in the Nov. 3 election, over his Democratic opponent, Corinne Pierog.
Rickert and Kane County Auditor Terry Hunt both say the report is an honest assessment while Pierog called it a "shallow stunt" and a "political puff job."
The Oct. 14 report was created by Hunt and two deputy auditors who work for him. Hunt also sent the news release.
The review of how Rickert handles his office states that it “is for information purposes only. However, the analysis and comparisons included in the report would lead the reader to the conclusion that for fiscal year 2020, despite the challenges of operating the office during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Kane County Treasurer has continued to operate the office effectively and with greater efficiency than that of the similar neighboring counties.”
Pierog blasted the report and news release as “a political puff job using taxpayer money less than three weeks before an election.”
“I am much more concerned with Mr. Rickert’s role in holding up $93 million in COVID relief than I am with manufactured praise for him performing basic functions of his job,” Pierog stated in an email.
Pierog was referring to Rickert being part of a short-lived task force appointed by Board Chairman Chris Lauzen to handle the federal COVID money. County Board members dissolved the task force in June and took over the responsibility of disbursing the federal funds to speed up the process.
“At a time when pre-foreclosures are up by 71%, evictions are looming, and people are suffering, it’s sad to see Mr. Rickert participate in this shallow stunt,” Pierog’s email stated.
In a text, Rickert said, “I am pleased the treasurer’s office scored well.”
“I’m sure Ms. Pierog would criticize anything I do. I’m not sure doing a good job running my current office is a stunt. The fact is the treasurer’s office is well-run, despite her obvious political attacks,” Rickert’s text stated.
“If she thought about it, a better argument would be that he’s doing such a good job as treasurer, we should leave him there,” according to Rickert’s text.
Rickert, who has served as county treasurer for 20 years, was elected for a sixth term in 2018. If he loses to Pierog, he would remain treasurer, as that position is not up until 2022.
'Coincidental' timing
For his part, Hunt stated in an email that the release of the report so close to the Nov. 3 election was “coincidental and was really in response to the most recent Public Service committee reports and questions.”
The treasurer’s report to the Public Service Committee is a regular agenda item, Hunt's email stated.
“The efficiency review report was prompted by concerns over the impact of the pandemic, so in that regard, it is the first year of the expanded report. Tax collections and the election cycle are established independently although they both occur within a relatively short period of time on the calendar,” Hunt’s email stated.
“The question related to the property tax collected this year, as compared to more normal times, has been raised in several committee meetings, and was most recently reported at last month’s Public Service committee meeting,” Hunt’s email stated. “While the results (of the report) should be considered positive, it is important to explain that the results were generated in an objective manner supported by public documents.”
According to the news release, property taxes are the single biggest source of revenue for the county and collection of them is critical, “not only to Kane County itself but also to over 700 other taxing districts in Kane County – including municipalities, school districts, library districts.”
The release states that now that the second installment of the 2019 payable in 2020 property taxes has come due, the year-to-date collections “are actually slightly ahead of the previous year, both in terms of gross revenues and percentage of taxes collected.”
Both the release and the report notes that Rickert’s budget is the smallest per capita among the five collar counties – and the most efficient.
“Treasurer Rickert has accomplished this with the smallest budget of the five collar counties – DuPage, Lake, Will, Kane and McHenry,” the release stated.
“The Kane County Treasurer’s budget is also the smallest per capita among those counties, and office efficiencies implemented under Treasurer Rickert have allowed Kane County to be the most efficient in terms of parcels processed per employee,” the release stated.
The full report is available online at kanecountyauditor.com.

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Letter to the Editor: Pierog's compassion needed in Kane County
Daily Harold 10/12/20 

My vote for Kane County Board chair goes to Corinne Pierog who has been endorsed by the people who work for Kane County. She is also honored to have the endorsements from several organized labor unions who represent most of the county employees: AFSCME Council 31; Teamsters Local 30; and Operating Engineers Local 150, among others. And she has my endorsement because she clearly shows compassion and support for the average everyday citizen.

Unlike her opponent, who is aligned with the current administration, Corinne will work to improve and stream line county services by limiting spending on all unnecessary and wasteful expenditures. She will also save taxpayers money by fostering a much-needed improvement in the work environment - which studies have proven to heighten workers' morale and increase productivity. This is efficiency.

I think Kane County voters should know that a meager 1 percent raise for Kane County employees was refused by the current administration, yet they tried to hire a legal service in an act that had dubious legal standing and created a conflict with their own state's attorney office.

Kane County's employees have demonstrated that throughout our county's public health crisis, these workers have fought for our county's safety in every office, whether it is dealing with public health issues, law enforcement, or in the Public Defender's office.

Corinne listens to the needs of others and responds effectively. Not only is she a successful business consultant for nonprofits, she significantly reduced taxes for her constituents while serving on the St. Charles school board.

Because of her compassion and her willingness to serve others' needs, a vote for Corinne Pierog is a vote that will benefit not only county employees, but every man, woman and child in Kane County.    
Mike Lowery    
North Aurora
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