My Platform
I am Running as an Independent Candidate to eliminate Waste, Fraud and Abuse with Emphasis on Controlling Government Spending.
The Only Way to Lower Property Taxes is to control and work towards reducing Government Spending. I have a Long and Documented Track Record of doing just that. Please See News Section and Resources Tabs for that documentation. The Oswego Township Board is well on their Way to Lowering their next Year’s Tax Levy. A Lower Levy means a Smaller Property Tax Bill. No one has worked harder on the behalf County of Kendall Tax Payers to Reduce Government Waste and Tax Payer Abuse. One of the Primary Functions of a Kendall County Board Member is to provide Oversight and Review, which I routinely do. Just think what can be accomplished if You Elect Me!
No 21 Percent Raises for Kendall County Elected Officials
Todd’s Research on other Coroner’s Compensation
Now is not the time to be handing out raises for elected positions. It is my opinion that most working taxpayers get paid based upon the amount of work that one is ask to perform. Based upon the research below, the workload for the Office of the Kendall County Coroner is significantly reduced compared to other counties with similar populations. The biggest variable is the fact Kendall County does not have a Hospital located in the County of Kendall. Using DeKalb County, which had the next lowest Total Death Count, our Coroner processed just 53% of the Amount of (311) Total Deaths in 2019 that the DeKalb County Coroner Processed (587).
The DeKalb Coroner earns $66,800, which is 13% more money than our Kendall Coroner, yet he had at least an additional 47% workload. In 2018, the DeKalb County Coroner processed 614 Total Deaths, 567 were classified as Natural Deaths, and 47 were Unnatural Deaths that needed additional Investigation. For 2018 the Kendall Coroner had 308 Total Deaths and 23 were Unnatural Deaths. The 2019 DeKalb Coroners Report has not been presented to their County Board, so that 2019 DeKalb Data is presently unavailable. Other Counties selected by Population had 944 Total Deaths for Tazewell, 1230 Total Deaths for Kankakee, 1145 Total Deaths for LaSalle and 682 Total Deaths for Macon County.
Using the Metric of Work Load, I would argue that presently our well-qualified Coroner is well compensated for the amount work she is required to do. The County Revenue Stream may be taking a Covid-19 hit, I know many taxpayers are now unemployed, now is not the time to be handing out any raises, we are all being required to tighten our belts.
Proposed Salary Options for Kendall County Coroner
Kendall Coroner Salary Options for Next Term 2020-2024, use hyperlinks for comparison metrics:
2020 Election – Scenario 1
FY 21 12/1/2020 $65,019 10.00% $5,911
FY22 12/1/2021 $66,319 2.00% $1,300
FY23 12/1/2022 $67,646 2.00% $1,326
FY24 12/1/2023 $68,998 2.00% $1,353
16.00% INCREASE
Below is the Specific Work Load Performed in each County being used to Compare to Kendall County. All the Counties Selected for Comparison have at Least Two Hospitals Located in their Respective County; Kendall has ZERO Hospitals Located with our County of Kendall.
- Other Coroner’s Annual Salary, and with the SOLE Metric of Population Used to justify a 21% raise
- Kendall County had 311 Total Deaths processed by Mrs. Purcell’s Office in 2019
- Tazewell County had 944 Total Deaths
- LaSalle County had 1145 Total Deaths
- DeKalb County had 614 Total Deaths in 2018 and 587 Total Deaths in 2019
- 2018 DeKalb Coroner Report
- and 2019 Dekalb County coroner’s Report not presently compiled, now completed and not on DeKalb County Website.
- 2018 DeKalb Coroner Report
- The Macon County Coroner’s Report for 2019 Requested
2020 Election – Scenario 2
FY 21 12/1/2020 $67,974 15.00% $8,866
FY22 12/1/2021 $69,334 2.00% $1,359
FY23 12/1/2022 $70,720 2.00% $1,387
FY24 12/1/2023 $72,135 2.00% $1,414
21.00% INCREASE
Coroner Raise Up for Vote at Tuesday Kendall County Board Meeting – June 3rd 2020 WSPY Story Here
Below are Things I Believe are Important to the People of Kendall County:
What I Stand for:
Freeze the County Budget
Will allow the County Board the flexibility to move non-designated tax payer funds to where they are needed. This will set priorities for more efficient local government operations.
Online Check-Book
So you the voter can see each month how your tax dollars are being spent.
Countywide Law Enforcement Citizen Oversight Committee
Made up of local citizens and seasoned law enforcement professionals to review Citizen Complaints made against local law enforcement.
Redistricting
Once 2020 Census is Completed, Use Census Data Compiled to Redistrict Kendall County to 5 Two-Member Kendall County Board Districts with alternating Terms of Office. The County of Kendall would still have 10 County Board Members. See below for my 2012 Redistricting Plan. Our County has not grown that much, so this plan could be a good starting point.
Redistricting Information Below
As your candidate, I have requested everything outlined above by speaking out at the microphone in open meetings in front of our current Kendall County Board members during Citizen Comments. It is a matter of public record that my requests of more transparency have been ignored. I have been making these Open Government requests for better public access on behalf of all citizens of Kendall County. However, I need your help to make it happen. I ask for your vote for Kendall County Board District One.