Treasurer Chris Lawson defended his office's reporting and investment performance at the Kane County Finance & Budget Committee meeting on Nov. 25, saying the office has produced sustained interest income and detailed return-on-investment documentation while asking the committee to correct a written record he said wrongly asserted his department was noncompliant with budget procedures.

Lawson outlined recent results, saying the county collected roughly $1.6 billion in property taxes distributed this year and that monthly interest income has been substantial. He said cumulative interest income since he took office includes months with multi-million-dollar returns, and projected interest income for the current fiscal year at about $20.5 million, noting some figures are estimates until month-end close.

Lawson also raised a legal and fiscal concern tied to the county's tax-certificate sale process, citing the Minnesota court case Tyler v. Hennepin County and arguing that Illinois's practice can leave homeowners shortchanged when properties are taken to satisfy unpaid taxes. He told the committee he saw an approximate $18,000,000 liability from owners not receiving constitutionally required excess proceeds and estimated roughly 180 foreclosures of that type in Kane County. Lawson asked the board to work with the legislative delegation and revenue committees in Springfield to address the issue.

Separately, Lawson warned the committee that the Illinois comptroller had put counties on notice about fines for late annual comprehensive financial reports (ActFERS). He said past late filings had led to penalties and urged timely submission to avoid additional costs.

Several members pressed Lawson for clarity about budget presentation. Lawson said he could not reconcile a line labeled "2025 actual" in the packet because the fiscal year is not complete, urged consistent use of "adopted" versus "amended" budget figures, and asked for a written correction to a prior committee statement he said mischaracterized his office's compliance. Chair Bill agreed to provide a letter confirming compliance.

The treasurer also asked for clearer, accessible reporting on total expenses and reserves; he said media coverage had suggested varying estimates for the amount of reserves to be used in 2026 (reports ranged from $2 million to as much as $8 million) and requested standardized presentation so board members and the public could compare adopted and amended budgets reliably.

The committee did not take formal action on the policy gaps Lawson described at the meeting; Lawson said he would provide supporting documentation and offered to share studies and historical reports with members who requested them. The chair asked staff to prepare a concise one-page summary of adopted and amended revenues, expenses and estimated reserve use for 2026 for public distribution.