Kane County staff report corrective-action work on state workforce grant; interim director, accounting contractor engaged

Jamie LaRuello, the county’s executive director of human resources, told the Jobs Committee that the county is working with the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) to correct benchmark shortfalls on a current workforce grant.

LaRuello said the county has contracted an interim workforce director, John Dugway, and engaged KEB, an accounting contractor the state commonly uses for workforce grants, to address reporting and invoicing backlogs. A corrective action plan must be submitted to DCEO by April 30, she said, and the grant’s two-year performance window extends through June 30, 2026.

LaRuello told the committee KEB has made “excellent progress” on invoices and that the county is about 40% through the backlog. She said no service providers have been left unpaid and that existing staff and contractors remain employed while the county clears records and reporting. Committee members asked whether clients had been harmed; LaRuello said the county has not lost staff or contractors and that committed invoices will be paid.

Committee members also reviewed related governance: the WIOA board — which covers Kane, Kendall and DeKalb counties — experienced membership changes and communication problems in recent months, members said. The county’s representative on the WIOA board is now the county’s appointed member Panesis, and members said the WIOA board will meet more often and in person to improve oversight.

Several committee members asked for more regular reporting on grant compliance and outcomes going forward.