Vern Tepe weaponizes the Kane County Board

🏛️ Political Power, Private Interests, and Partisan Pressure: The Case of Vern Tepe in Kane County

Kane County Board member, Vern Tepe, is facing mounting scrutiny over a pattern of behavior that crosses the line from governance into political activism—and possibly abuse of power. While elected officials are entitled to personal beliefs, Tepe’s conduct raises serious concerns about impartiality, ethics, and potential conflicts of interest.

Governance vs. Political Advocacy

Tepe’s role as a County Board member is to center on policy, budgeting, and constituent services. Yet his recent actions suggest a troubling entanglement with partisan politics of which he orchestrates. He was involved in the controversial removal of Maggie Beyer from the Elgin Township Committee on Seniors—a move widely condemned by the Kane County GOP as politically motivated and disrespectful of Beyer’s long-standing service. Click to see article.

ButTepe’s activism didn’t stop there. According to a recent Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request, Tepe sent an email on September 14th urging individuals to attend the Public Service Committee meeting on September 18th and “blast” Republican board member David Young. The email from him was a direct call to action—one that resulted in a coordinated public attack on Young during the meeting. This incident has been described by observers as a clear example of Tepe weaponizing his position to orchestrate partisan retaliation.

🏘️ Private Holdings and Public Influence

While Tepe attacks his opposition, there are extensive concerns over Tepe’s involvement in private real estate as well as contracts that he has with the government to support his holdings. According to records from the Illinois Secretary of State, he is the registered agent for 11 different properties. This raises troubling questions:

Could board decisions directly or indirectly benefit his property interests?
Is there sufficient transparency to ensure public policy isn’t being shaped to serve private gain?
Are constituents being adequately protected from overlapping personal and political agendas?

When a public official holds significant private assets—especially in areas potentially affected by county regulations—the need for ethical safeguards and public accountability becomes critical.

🔍 Calls for Oversight and Investigation

Given the convergence of political activism, retaliatory behavior, and private interests, some are now calling for formal investigation. Perhaps Kane County State’s Attorney Jaime Mosser should not only examine Tepe’s real estate holdings, but also launch a deeper inquiry into whether he is weaponizing his position—especially if his call to censure David Young materializes again this Tuesday. If Mosser refuses, then Illinois State's Attorney, Kwame Raoul, in his role, should launch an investigation.

Such an investigation would help determine:

Whether Tepe’s actions violate ethical standards or legal boundaries
If his private interests have influenced public decisions
Whether his conduct has compromised the integrity of the County Board
Do his current real estate holdings receive money from government entities

🧭 The Path Forward

Kane County residents deserve leaders who prioritize community needs over party loyalty and personal gain, irrespective of party affiliation. As concerns mount, calls for transparency, ethics reviews, and clearer boundaries between public service and political activism are growing louder. The taxpayers deserve to know. This issue is bigger than partisan politics. It's criminal weaponization for political gain.

Whether these issues lead to formal investigations or policy reforms remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: the integrity of local governance depends on elected officials who serve with fairness, accountability, and respect for the public trust.

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Superintendent Arrested for Sharing Student Vaccine Records: A Wake-Up Call for Kane County

October 13, 2025

In a case that’s sending shockwaves across Illinois, Mercer County School District Superintendent Timothy Farquer and two technology staff members were arrested for allegedly accessing and sharing student vaccine records without consent. Prosecutors say the trio violated both state and federal privacy laws by compiling immunization data into a database and distributing it to unknown parties. What Happened Farquer, along with Amberly Norton and Andrea Long, faces charges of: Unauthorized access to medical records (misdemeanor) Computer tampering (misdemeanor) Felony official misconduct If convicted, they could face up to five years in prison. The motive and recipients of the shared data remain undisclosed. Teri Ross of Illinois Legal Aid Online emphasized that unless there’s a confirmed outbreak, there’s no legitimate reason to access student immunization records without parental consent. “It’s a breach of community trust,” she warned. Why Kane County Should Pay Attention This case underscores the urgent need for transparency and safeguards in school health data practices—issues that resonate deeply in Kane County, where parents have long voiced concerns about overreach in school-based health initiatives. Key implications for Kane County: Reinforces the need for informed consent : Parents must be notified and give permission before any medical data is accessed or shared. Raises questions about local school district protocols : Are Kane County schools properly training staff on data privacy laws? Strengthens the case for public access to exemption forms : The recent victory in posting the Illinois Certificate of Religious Exemption on the Kane County Health Department website now looks even more vital. Galvanizes community oversight : This incident may inspire more residents to attend school board meetings, request policy reviews, and demand accountability. Community Response and Next Steps This breach could be a turning point for Kane County advocates. It’s a moment to: Call for audits of school data access protocols. Push for legislation that strengthens parental control over student health records. Educate families on their rights under FERPA and Illinois privacy laws. This breach isn’t just a headline—it’s a call to action. For Kane County families, it’s a reminder that vigilance matters. Now is the time to demand transparency in school health protocols, insist on parental consent before any data is accessed, and ensure that exemption forms and privacy protections are clearly posted and upheld. Let this moment fuel a broader movement: one that safeguards our children’s medical privacy, strengthens local oversight, and reaffirms the principle that parents—not institutions—should control their children's health information. Superintendent, school employees arrested after allegedly sharing student vaccine records