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Residents accused Kane County Treasurer Chris Lauzen of using an official government mailing to promote his reelection campaign after redesigned property tax bills arrived in more than 200,000 Kane County homes and businesses.
According to the Daily Herald, bills included three pieces featuring Lauzen's photo: the bill itself, an "A-Z" tax explanation sheet, and a separate flyer outlining his record on taxes. Last year's mailing included only the bill.
Here's what to know:
The complaints: At the May 6 Kane County Executive Committee meeting, several residents asked the board to refer the matter to the state's attorney for investigation. Speakers said the insert may violate the Illinois State Officials and Employees Ethics Act, which prohibits using official positions or publicly funded materials to benefit a political campaign.
The state's involvement: State's Attorney Jamie Mosser acknowledged that her office reviewed certain parts of the mailing at Lauzen's request — but clarified it did not review the half-sheet insert with the graph or the "Your Tax Bill Explained A-Z" document, the two pieces drawing the most scrutiny.
Lauzen's response: According to the Daily Herald, the treasurer denied the accusations and called the backlash politically motivated. He said the redesign was intended to help residents better understand their bills and that the state's attorney had signed off on his image appearing in the mailing.
Lauzen faces Kane County Auditor Penny Wegman in the November election. The state's attorney's office has indicated it is actively reviewing complaints.
Read more in this Daily Herald article.
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