Increased county interest income annually from $2M to $21M, reduced bank fees by $650,000, has served taxpayers with honesty, competence, and common sense. After twenty years in the Illinois State Senate, followed by eight years as Kane County (IL) Board Chairman (2012–2020), I was elected countywide to the office of Kane County Treasurer in 2022. Kane County is 40 miles west of Chicago and the 5t
h largest county in Illinois, with a population of 515,000. As Kane County Treasurer, I have applied my experience in state and local government finance and public service to the responsibilities of this office. Since taking office two years ago, county interest income has increased from $2M to $21M. I evaluated operating bank services through the RFP process and selected a new banking partner, reducing annual operating bank fees and charges by $650,000. The Treasurer’s Office generates 195,000 property tax bills, collects $1.5 billion in property tax revenue, and distributes designated revenue to all taxing districts within Kane County. Previously, as Kane County Board Chairman, I kept my campaign promise to hold the line on taxes by freezing the county property tax levy for eight straight County budgets, while generating a surplus each year. During my administration, Kane County initiated its first-ever five-year plans for both operating and capital expenditures, as well as cash flow forecasts. At a time when county governments across the country faced a severe pension crisis, and Illinois itself was teetering on the brink of insolvency, I oversaw the full-funding of the county’s pension liability without cutting benefits for retirees. I was recognized nationally as a speaker and expert in public pensions. When I left this office, Kane County had $250M in cash balance reserves. As a State Senator, I focused on two main legislative priorities: cutting wasteful government spending and fostering a business climate in Illinois where private industry could maintain and create more jobs paying higher wages. As Kane County Board Chairman, I continued to focus on issues that matter to families and small businesses. And as Kane County Treasurer, I am generating more interest earned to help offset the need for higher property taxes. I was born and raised in Aurora, Illinois. I earned my Bachelors of Arts degree with honors from Duke University, an MBA from Harvard Business School, and am a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) awarded by the University of Illinois. My wife of 44 years, Sarah, and I are parents of four sons, four daughters-in-law, and eight grandchildren. In my spare time, I enjoy time with my family and reading. CHRIS LAUZEN FOR KANE TREASURER COMMENT POLICY:
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