October 17, 2020
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