Former Kane County Coroner Announces Bid For Sheriff

KANE COUNTY, IL — Former Kane County Coroner Rob Russell announced Wednesday his bid for sheriff in the 2026 election.

Russell served three terms as coroner, from 2012 to 2024. He kicked off his campaign for sheriff with a fundraising event attended by friends, family and supporters, according to a news release.

"I'm very proud of the work we did during my three terms as coroner," Russell said. "I was encouraged by Democrats, Republicans, and independents to succeed Sheriff Hain. I've built a track record of leadership and integrity to public service."

Hain, who has served as sheriff since his first election in 2018, will step down at the end of his second term. Hain backed Undersheriff Amy Johnson, who announced she will seek the Democratic nomination for sheriff next April ahead of the Nov. 3, 2026, general election, according to a report from the Chicago Tribune.

As coroner, Russell secured more than $2 million in federal funding for the creation of a regional forensic lab in Kane County. He also advocated for and assisted with the design of a new coroner's office and state-of-the-art morgue facility, according to a news release.

At Wednesday's event, he said one of the pillars of his plan for the sheriff's office is to gradually expand the forensic crime lab, emphasizing a need for faster response times to get evidence back from the state lab.

"Unfortunately, police departments across the state are waiting weeks and months for evidence to be tested and returned to investigators," he said. "A gradual expansion of the lab will reap multiple benefits including getting suspects off the streets faster, generating additional revenue, accessibility to additional grants, and making Kane County and surrounding communities safer."

Russell began his law enforcement career in 1993 with the DuPage County Sheriff's Office. He currently serves as a police officer in Hampshire, where he lives with his wife, Susan.

Russell has so far secured endorsements from local officials, including Sen. Don DeWitte (R-St. Charles), Rep. Dan Ugaste (R-Geneva), Kane County Recorder Sandy Wegman, former Senator and Kane County Board Chair Karen McConnaughay and former Kane County State's Attorney Joe McMahon.

Russell cited his 12 years as coroner as instrumental in "boosting his positive name ID countywide."