Illinois Review finished up the 4-part interview with Kane County Board President Karen McConnaughay by asking a few questions her critics brought to our attention.
First, was the accusation that Mrs. McConnaughay supported pay raises for her staff during a time when the county was financially struggling. Because she consolidated departments, cut staff and departments and re-organized, the remaining staff had more responsibility and accountability, thus, she thought the slight pay increases were deserved:
McConnaughay said she is proud that Kane County's bond rating has improved through this recession.
And she spoke about a lawsuit in which the Kane County Circuit Court Clerk sued the Board, declaring that she, as an elected official, had the right to determine the amount her annual budget should be. The courts supported McConnaughay and the board's opposing position, setting state case law that restricts elected officials' budgets to what taxpayers and the board determine it should be:
We asked who she was supporting in the GOP presidential primary:
And how she planned to campaign for the State Senate district while keeping her job as Kane County Board chairman:
McConnaughay is facing two opponents in the March 20, 2012 GOP primary to be the Republican candidate for the new 33rd Senate District. Her opponents are district residents Cliff Surges and Chad Koppie.
Illinois Review conducted the above interview with Chairman McConnaughay at FONA International in Geneva, IL.
Related posts: Illinois Review Interview with Kane County Board Chairman Karen McConnaughay - Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3.
