By Rob Russell, Guest Contributor
The Kane County Sheriff’s Office has some serious problems. It’s millions of dollars over budget, morale is terrible, and employees are speaking out about what’s going on behind the scenes. And the people running the place owe taxpayers some answers.
Since Acting Sheriff Amy Johnson took over in April, employees have continued to come forward with troubling stories about what’s happening inside the department. Some describe a toxic workplace where favoritism runs deep and good employees feel like nobody has their backs. Others talk about constant fighting, poor leadership and a system where it’s more about who you know than how well you do your job.
There have even been allegations of employees showing up for work intoxicated. Whistleblowers also say the department’s internal affairs process isn’t doing its job. One current employee called the office corrupt and toxic. Another said things have gotten “120 times worse” since Johnson took over. Those are strong words coming from people who work there, and they shouldn’t be ignored.
Then there’s the money. Over the past four years, the department has reportedly gone $10.8 million over budget. That’s a lot of taxpayer money, and the public deserves to know where it went. We’re also hearing about equipment purchased years ago that’s still sitting around collecting dust. Taxpayers paid for that equipment, and they deserve to know why it isn’t being used.
And in August, a deputy’s AR-15 was stolen from a patrol vehicle in Aurora. Think about that. A law enforcement rifle was stolen right out of a squad car. How does that happen? What went wrong? And what’s being done to make sure it never happens again? These aren’t unreasonable questions. They’re questions any taxpayer should be asking.
Johnson’s rise through the department also raises questions. She hasn’t passed the sergeant’s exam, yet she moved up through the ranks. When Sheriff Ron Hain stepped down, she became acting sheriff. Now she’s the Democratic candidate on the November 3 ballot. I’ve been in law enforcement long enough to know that rank should be earned, not handed out.
I spent 20 years in a sheriff’s office and retired as a sergeant. I took the exam. I passed it. I put in the work. Then I spent 12 years serving Kane County as coroner. When I took over that office, we had problems too. But we rolled up our sleeves, fixed what needed fixing and became the first accredited coroner’s office in Illinois. That didn’t happen by accident. It happened because we set standards, held people accountable and made sure everyone followed the same rules.
That’s how a public office should operate. The rules shouldn’t change depending on who you know or who you’re friends with. And when something goes wrong, the person in charge needs to step up, take responsibility and fix it. That’s what leadership is all about.
If I become sheriff, one of the first things I’ll do is order a forensic audit. I want to know where the money went, and I want taxpayers to see the results. I’ll also find out why equipment purchased with taxpayer dollars isn’t being used. If the county paid for it, someone should be able to explain where it is, why it was purchased and why it’s sitting unused.
I’ll also take a hard look at internal affairs. When someone files a complaint, it needs to be taken seriously and investigated fairly. Promotions should go to people who earn them, not because they’re friends with the right people. And when it comes to weapons, there shouldn’t be any excuses. We need clear rules, proper training and accountability. The same goes for employees showing up to work under the influence. If that happens, it needs to be investigated and dealt with immediately.
I also believe in something pretty simple. If you’re a supervisor, you should have your deputies’ backs. You should lead by example, treat people fairly and expect them to do their jobs. Good deputies shouldn’t have to worry about office politics or whether they’re part of the right group. They should be able to come to work, do their jobs and know they’ll be treated fairly.
I’ve spent more than three decades serving the people of Kane County. I’ve seen what works, and I’ve seen what happens when leadership fails. The sheriff’s office belongs to the people of Kane County. Not the sheriff. Not the command staff. The taxpayers. And those taxpayers deserve to know their money is being spent wisely, their deputies are being treated fairly and their communities are being protected.
On November 3, voters will decide who leads the Kane County Sheriff’s Office. No matter who’s in charge, the rules should apply to everyone. There should be no special treatment, no excuses and no hiding from the public when something goes wrong.
Accountability starts at the top. And it’s time we brought it back to the Kane County Sheriff’s Office.
Rob Russell is a retired law enforcement sergeant and former 12-year Kane County Coroner. He is the Republican candidate for Kane County Sheriff in the November 3 election.
