Meet Amy Johnson, the 2026 Democratic Candidate for Kane County Sheriff
- Board Member: CASA Kane County
- Board Member: Boys and Girls Club
- Board Member: Boys and Girls Club Safety Committee
- Board Member: International Association for Identification (IDIAI)
- Board Member: Kane County Emergency Telephone Board
- Member of:
- Illinois Sheriff’s Association (ISA)
- International Association of Women Police (IAWP)
- American Jail Association (AJA)
- International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP)
- Illinois Homicide Investigators Association (IHIA)
- International Association for Identification (IAI)
- Kane County Chiefs of Police
- National Tactical Officers Association (NTOA)
- National Information Officers Association (NIOA)
- Illinois Democratic Women
- International Association for Property and Evidence (IAPE)
- Family Violence Coordinating Council
- Judicial Public Safety Committee
Throughout leadership and administrative roles, I have encountered pushback when implementing changes intended to improve accountability, efficiency, or long-term organizational outcomes. Change, especially in established institutions, can generate differing perspectives.
In one instance, I went with a proposal focused on improving practices with evolving legal, policy, and expectations. While the proposal was ultimately supported, it initially prompted resistance and pushback from some within the department who were concerned about disruption to long-standing procedures. Rather than continuing on with the disagreement, I focused on listening, clarifying, and engaging with constructive talking points.
The experience reinforced for me the importance of transparent communication, collaborative problem-solving, and steady leadership, particularly when guiding an organization through necessary change.
My approach to discipline and accountability in the Sheriff’s Office is grounded in fairness, consistency, and transparency. Accountability is essential to public trust and professional standards, and it must be applied lawfully, objectively, and with respect for due process.
Discipline should be progressive, with issues addressed early when appropriate through supervision, training, and corrective action. Clear policies, consistent enforcement, and strong supervision are critical so expectations are understood and applied evenly across the organization.
When serious misconduct occurs, accountability must be firm, timely, and decisive. No individual is above the standards of the office. Accountability protects the community and also protects the many deputies and staff who serve with integrity every day.
The Sheriff has a responsibility to ensure discipline is applied consistently, decisions are well-documented, and outcomes are communicated appropriately. This approach reinforces professionalism, strengthens trust, and ensures the Sheriff’s Office operates with integrity and credibility.
As a Sheriff candidate, I recognize that police unions play an important role in protecting fair labor practices, due process, and the safety and well-being of deputies and staff. Those protections are essential in a demanding and high-risk profession.
At the same time, the Sheriff is ultimately accountable to the public. Unions should never override the responsibility of leadership to uphold transparency, accountability, constitutional policing, and community trust. I believe strong public safety comes from collaboration, not conflict, between labor, leadership, and the community. The most effective police unions are partners in professionalism, training, wellness, and ethical standards. When unions engage constructively they help strengthen both the workforce and public confidence. As Sheriff, I will continue my efforts in working collaboratively with our unions while maintaining clear leadership authority and a firm commitment to serving the public interest.
- Fiscal Responsibility and Sustainable Funding
- Personnel Support and Resource Allocation
- Community Engagement, Mental Health & Youth Outreach
As Sheriff, my focus will be on leading a department that operates with integrity, fairness, and accountability at every level. While I cannot control every aspect of the broader justice system, I can, and will, set clear standards within the Kane County Sheriff’s Office. That starts with enforcing policies that promote transparency, ensuring thorough training on de-escalation and bias awareness, and holding our team to the highest level of professional conduct. My leadership will prioritize not just legal compliance, but building genuine community trust, because public safety is strongest when it’s rooted in respect and fairness for all.
This question was not completed in its entirety for the candidate –
I am defining ‘public safety’: Public safety isn’t just about enforcement, it’s about building the trust, ensuring access to help during a crisis, and protecting everyone’s rights. As Sheriff, my leadership will focus on making sure people feel safe in their neighborhoods, ensuring deputies are trained and equipped to respond professionally and fairly, and strengthening partnerships with our communities, especially around mental health and youth outreach. For me, public safety means more than reacting to crime; it’s about being proactive.
The Sheriff is directly responsible for ensuring that our jail operates professionally, humanely, and effectively. My priority is to maintain a safe environment, for both staff and inmates, while continuing to support programs that reduce recidivism and prepare people for successful reentry. That includes GEDs, vocational training, and connecting individuals to housing and treatment resources. These efforts are about smart public safety, because we all benefit when people leave custody with a better path forward.
As Sheriff, my focus will be on building trust through action, not assumptions. I’ll lead a department that is visible, respectful, and responsive to every community in Kane County, including those who’ve felt disconnected from law enforcement. That means showing up, listening, and working alongside local organizations, schools, and families, not just during a crisis, but consistently. I believe trust is earned when people feel heard, treated fairly, and see accountability in place. That’s the kind of leadership I intend to bring to the Sheriff’s Office, one rooted in professionalism, transparency, and real community connection
As Sheriff, I respect the importance of transparency and accountability, and I support structured community engagement when it’s done thoughtfully and responsibly. Citizen oversight, when clearly defined and grounded in due process, can be a valuable tool to build public trust. Here in Kane County, we already have oversight mechanisms in place, and I support continuing to work within that framework to ensure the community feels heard and law enforcement is held to a professional standard.
My stance is based on practical experience, knowing that most people want a system that’s fair, responsive, and built on mutual respect. Oversight should never be about politics or public shaming, it should be about problem-solving and continuous improvement. As Sheriff, I will always be open to constructive input, but I’ll also ensure that any oversight respects the rights of deputies and follows the law.
Transparency is essential for public trust, and as Sheriff, I will lead a department that communicates clearly, proactively, and consistently with the people of Kane County. We owe it to our residents to ensure they understand what we do, how we operate, and how we hold ourselves accountable.
First, I will work to expand the use of online public reporting tools so residents can easily access updates in real time on crime trends, jail statistics, and department initiatives. I’ll also push for regular public-facing reports that outline department performance, community engagement, and training updates.
I also believe in proactive communication, not just reactive press releases. That means holding quarterly community briefings, strengthening our presence at local events, and making it easier for residents to submit feedback, ask questions, or get involved.
Finally, transparency starts on the inside. I will ensure that all policies, including use of force, complaint handling, and pursuit policies, are accessible to the public and updated as laws evolve. We’ll also track and share data tied to public safety outcomes and community interaction, so people can see not just what we’re doing, but why. My goal is simple: to build a department that’s easy to trust because it’s easy to see.
I believe leadership means showing up with purpose, prioritizing service, inclusion, and accountability in every decision. Public safety isn’t about politics, it’s about protecting people, building trust, and working together to solve the real challenges facing our communities every day.
My platform is rooted in transparency, responsible stewardship of taxpayer resources, and proactive investments in youth, mental health, and crime prevention. That means more than just responding to crime, it means addressing root causes. We need access to crisis response teams, early intervention, and treatment not just handcuffs. We need meaningful partnerships with schools, families, and nonprofits to build safer, healthier communities from the ground up.
Throughout my career in law enforcement, I’ve worked to ensure people feel safe in their homes and confident in the professionalism of those sworn to serve them. I believe deeply in protecting individual rights, applying the law fairly, and creating public safety systems that work for everyone not just a few.
My approach is about compassion, collaboration, and accountability. Those aren’t just one set of values. They’re the foundation of effective leadership, and that’s exactly how I intend to lead as Sheriff of Kane County.
Yes, I am fully committed to running a clean, respectful campaign that focuses on leadership, service, and the issues that matter most to the people of Kane County. Voters deserve transparency, honesty, and integrity not just during an election, but in how we carry ourselves every day.
I also welcome opportunities for community dialogue, and I will participate in public forums and debates whenever possible. That said, I currently serve as the Undersheriff of Kane County, which means I’m on call 24/7. Public safety doesn’t stop during campaign season and neither does my responsibility to this community.
I will do everything I can to attend and engage with residents in every corner of the county. When my duties require me elsewhere, I trust that voters will understand that my first obligation is always to the safety and well-being of the people we serve.
I can’t speak for anyone else’s actions, but I can speak for myself and how I lead. My focus has always been, and will continue to be, on upholding the professionalism, integrity, and public trust that the Sheriff’s Office deserves. Leadership means stepping forward with solutions, not division.
As someone who has served this community for two decades, I’ve stayed focused on protecting the public, supporting our personnel, and ensuring this office operates with fairness and transparency. I’m interested in rebuilding trust, strengthening morale, and moving the office forward with the kind of leadership Kane County residents can count on. That means showing up, listening to concerns, and working with community partners to move public safety forward in a positive direction.
