By STEVE LORD slord@scn1.com

Aurora Mayor Tom Weisner Tuesday announced his endorsement of incumbent Karen McConnaughay for Kane County Board chairman. Weisner is not only mayor of the county's largest city, he is one of its prominent Democrats. He said he endorsed McConnaughay, a Republican from St. Charles, because she has worked to make the county and its municipalities "close partners when it comes to serving our residents."

"That spirit of cooperation is no accident," Weisner said in a release. "It is a direct result of strong leadership on the part of the Kane County Board chairman ..."

In addition to Weisner's endorsement, the press release Tuesday carried the names of mayors of 12 of the county's 29 other municipalities who have endorsed McConnaughay.

McConnaughay, seeking a second term as chairman, is facing Democratic challenger Sandy Kaczmarski of Elburn in the Nov. 4 election. Kaczmarski said she had no comment on the endorsement of McConnaughay by Weisner, pointing instead to an endorsement she received from AFSCME Local 31, the union which represents some workers at the county.

"Those are the people I'd be working with day to day," she said.

Weisner praised McConnaughay particularly for having an open line of communication with community leaders, especially in "partnering" on transportation, public safety and other issues. Weisner called party affiliation a "non-issue" when he has worked with McConnaughay.

"Government works best when elected leaders set aside partisan and personal differences and focus on getting things done for our constituents," McConnaughay said. "That is our focus in Kane County, and the results speak for themselves."

http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/beaconnews/news/1247305,2_1_AU29_MCCONNAUGHAY_S1.article