Unofficial results out of Kane County show Democrat Penny Wegman with a commanding lead over Republican incumbent Chris Lauzen in the race for county treasurer, with Wegman pulling in 100,548 votes to Lauzen's 64,937. Wegman currently serves as Kane County auditor, while Lauzen was seeking a second term after first winning the treasurer's office in 2022.
The tally, reported by Shaw Local, is still unofficial. Lauzen had been unopposed in the Republican primary in March, according to the Chicago Tribune.
Two Longtime County Officials Squaring Off
Both candidates arrived at the race with deep résumés in Kane County government. Wegman is in her second term as county auditor and has served as a Kane County Board member, the Chicago Tribune reported.
Lauzen has a long record in local politics. He served two terms as Kane County Board chairman and spent 20 years as a state senator, according to Shaw Local. Lauzen was seeking a second term as treasurer, while Wegman is in her second term as auditor, the Shaw Local report noted.
Candidates Clashed Over Managing County Money
The race turned on competing visions for how the treasurer's office should handle Kane County's finances heading into Election Day. Wegman told the Chicago Tribune she would prioritize clear procedures and making sure only the correct people have access to county funds and systems, and said she wanted to make the office easier for taxpayers to navigate through an improved website and clearer communication throughout the year.
Wegman also cautioned that the investment income the county has enjoyed in recent years may not hold up. “Those favorable conditions aren't going to last forever,” she said, pointing to the fading effects of pandemic-era federal funding and interest-rate conditions that have boosted county returns.
Lauzen, for his part, pointed to his track record in office as his case for reelection. He cited more than $80 million in interest income generated on county funds during his tenure, along with a 99.97% property-tax collection rate, according to the Tribune's reporting.
Earlier Forum Focused on County Finances
The two candidates had already discussed county finances at a September forum covered by Shaw Local. Lauzen touted the longer-term management of $350 million in reserves that he said had resulted in $20 million in earnings.
At that same forum, Lauzen pointed to earnings on county reserves as a measure of his performance in the role.
