The fast-growing county has a strong leader and rising star in Karen McConnaughay. Her style can ruffle a few feathers. But she has driven some significant decisions in the past few years, including the completion of a new county jail. She has pushed for road improvements and preservation of open space. She has upgraded the county's financial system to provide greater accountability. The Republican is strongly endorsed over Democrat Sandy Kaczmarski of Elburn, who has a public relations/freelance writing business.