The Kane County Board on Oct. 14 debated and voted on a slate of proclamations, zoning petitions and riverboat-funded program requests, approving a county anti‑hate proclamation after several amendments, clearing a special‑use permit for a children’s enrichment program in Big Rock Township, and denying a proposed commercial solar farm near Elgin. The board also adjusted its riverboat grant allocations after multiple amendments that removed several new items and shifted others.

Why it matters: The votes change local policy positions and land use while reshaping near‑term county spending from riverboat gambling revenues. The proclamation vote followed weeks of public comment about free speech and community safety; the zoning decisions affect land use and potential housing supply in areas near Elgin; changes to riverboat allocations reallocate discretionary funds that had been proposed for workforce and county board projects.

Votes at a glance

• “We Stand United Against Hate” proclamation — approved as amended. The board considered several changes, including adding explicit language protecting First Amendment speech. The item prompted extensive public comment (both in favor and opposed) and multiple motions on the floor before passage. Board member David Young described the original draft as “a targeted proclamation toward me” and said, “this is an attack on first amendment speech.” The board passed the amended proclamation by roll call after debate.

• Veterans Week proclamation — approved. The board unanimously approved a proclamation recognizing November 2025 as Veterans Week in Kane County.

• Zoning petition 4665 (Riverside Club for Adventure and Imagination, Big Rock Township) — approved with an amendment and stipulations. The board approved a special‑use permit allowing the program on the property after adding a stipulation limiting permanent structures intended for overnight habitation inside the 100‑year floodplain (the board and staff said the change clarifies local safety standards). Riverside founder Peter Serbi described the program as “an enrichment program that inspires boys and girls to join fellowships of creative endeavor through the creative arts, outdoor adventure, and craftsmanship.” Proponents said the operation would be low‑impact and already has longstanding community ties; neighbors and some staff said the proposed buffers and maintenance plans must be enforced.

• Zoning petition 4666 (SVC SG Wilson School Solar LLC — commercial solar facility near Highland Avenue, Elgin Township) — denied. The board heard dozens of objectors who raised concerns about property values, drainage and flood tiles, emergency response and fire risk, and the site’s proximity to planned residential development. The City of Elgin’s planning director said the property is part of planned residential growth and argued the solar farm could impede orderly annexation and housing supply. The petitioner’s attorney, Jim Griffin, said the project met county ordinance technical standards and noted a favorable Zoning Board of Appeals recommendation; members of the board and the development committee, however, said local planning goals and neighbors’ concerns weighed against approval. After debate the board voted to deny the special use.

• Riverboat fund allocations (2026 recommended allotments) — approved as amended. The board debated the slate of riverboat grant recommendations for community, economic and environmental programs and moved multiple amendments on the floor during a protracted session: the board removed a newly proposed county internship line ($30,000), voted to remove a $100,000 transfer proposed for a county strategic plan from the riverboat fund and later approved reallocating $165,000 toward the state’s attorney’s domestic‑violence request, and approved keeping a county grant‑manager position funded through riverboat despite a motion to remove it. Several other line items were adjusted during roll calls. Finance staff and departmental directors briefed the board on the mechanics: riverboat awards fund capital and programmatic items but draw from a limited unobligated balance the board tracks; chair and committee members said the changes will reduce the board’s unobligated riverboat reserve.

What the board heard and decided in public comment

Public comment dominated the morning session. Speakers urged the board to adopt the anti‑hate proclamation and to condemn remarks they described as harming transgender and other residents; other speakers cautioned against government deciding acceptable speech and urged protection of free expression. Becky Pundy of Alive Centers for Teens urged county support for teen mental‑health prevention programs: “When teens have safe spaces, purpose, leadership opportunities, and trusted adults in their lives, they are less likely to turn to gangs, drugs, or violence,” she said. Opponents of the Elgin‑area solar petition presented testimony and evidence alleging decreased home values, fire and toxic runoff risks, and drainage problems; one objector said a comparable nearby solar site showed poor long‑term vegetative screening.

Select quotes

• David Young (Kane County board member): “This proclamation is a targeted proclamation toward me … this is an attack on first amendment speech.”

• Becky Pundy (Alive Centers for Teens): “When teens have safe spaces, purpose, leadership opportunities, and trusted adults in their lives, they are less likely to turn to gangs, drugs, or violence.”

• Peter Serbi (founder, Riverside Club): “We’re an enrichment program that inspires boys and girls to join fellowships of creative endeavor through the creative arts, outdoor adventure, and craftsmanship.”

• Jim Griffin (attorney for solar petitioner): “The ZBA considered the application, considered the evidence, and found that the standards under the Kane County zoning ordinance were satisfied.”

What the votes mean next

• Proclamations: The hate proclamation and Veterans Week proclamation are formal board positions that the county will publicize; amendments added by the board require staff to update the final text and notify county partners.

• Riverside Club: The special‑use permit approval includes a county stipulation that no permanent structure intended for overnight habitation be allowed in the 100‑year floodplain; staff will finalize the detailed conditions and inspections required by the permit.

• Solar petition denial: The petitioner may revise and resubmit or pursue other sites. The board’s denial was grounded in local planning and neighborhood‑impact concerns raised by Elgin and neighbors.

• Riverboat funds: The amended riverboat package reduces the county’s unobligated reserve and reallocates funds across public‑safety and community programs. Departments and staff will adjust budget plans before final year‑end accounting.

Key speakers (selection)

- Mavis Bates — Kane County Board member; presenter of the anti‑hate proclamation and sponsor of related motions.
- David Young — Kane County Board member; central figure in public comments and debate over the anti‑hate proclamation.
- Becky Pundy — Director, Come Alive Institute at Alive Centers for Teens; public commenter on youth mental health and program requests.
- Peter Serbi — Founder, Riverside Club for Adventure and Imagination; petitioner representative and proponent.
- Kara Comer — Riverside program parent and proponent.
- Jim Griffin — Attorney for the solar petitioner (SunVest/SVC SG Wilson School Solar LLC).
- Bruce Wright and Jennifer Rimes — Local residents and frequent objectors to the solar petition.
- Kathy Hopkinson — Kane County finance director (budget and riverboat fund briefing).
- Jared Hunt (or county finance staff) — presented figures used in riverboat debate.

Actions (formal items reported to the board record)

- Adoption (as amended) of “We Stand United Against Hate” proclamation — outcome: approved by roll call after amendments; amendments included clarifying language and an explicit protection for First Amendment rights. (Referenced in article text.)

- Adoption of Veterans Week proclamation — outcome: approved by roll call. (Referenced in article text.)

- Zoning: Petition 4665, Riverside Club special‑use — outcome: approved with stipulation that no permanent structure intended for overnight habitation be permitted in the 100‑year floodplain and other standard permit conditions.

- Zoning: Petition 4666, SVC SG Wilson School Solar LLC (commercial solar, Highland Ave./Elgin) — outcome: denied after board vote and public testimony citing land‑use, drainage and safety concerns.

- Riverboat 2026 allocations (resolution as amended) — outcome: approved after amendment; the board removed a new county internship line, removed proposed riverboat funding for the county strategic plan, reallocated $165,000 to a state’s‑attorney domestic‑violence request, retained a county grant‑manager position funded by riverboat, and adjusted other line items. The board’s action reduced the unobligated riverboat reserve.

- Appointments: Several board‑level appointments and advisory‑board appointments were approved as recorded in the minutes (including a temporary appointment process beginning after Nov. 30 to fill a countyboard vacancy; the board will publish the vacancy and accept applicants per the board chair’s guidance). (Referenced in article text.)

What the board directed staff to do

- Prepare the final text and notifications for the adopted proclamations (including the addition referencing First Amendment protections).
- Finalize Riverside Club permit paperwork and enforcement schedule for floodplain and screening stipulations.
- Notify the solar petitioner and local jurisdictions of the denial and document the denial in county land‑use records.
- Adjust riverboat accounting and update the unobligated reserve balance to reflect amendments; departments were asked to confirm how removed items and kept items will be operationalized within the year‑end accounting schedule.

Next steps and follow up

The county clerk will publish the adopted proclamations and post final permits and resolutions to the county website. Petitioners may appeal or resubmit zoning requests per county ordinance; county staff will complete the technical follow‑up on floodplain and screening stipulations for the Riverside Club permit. The riverboat fund changes will be reflected in county year‑end reporting; departments that lost or had funding reduced were told to rework plans and confirm program continuity with finance staff.

Ending

Board members said they hoped the votes would let the county move past a contentious public‑comment period and continue routine county business; members asked staff to return any required follow‑up documents or ordinance language for final review at the next available agenda.