Burning From the Inside: Corruption and Bad Behavior in a small Illinois town.

Updated: x6 This article was updated on 04/06/2021 to include unofficial election results

Updated: x5 This article was updated on 04/05/2021 to include new coverage and another citizen compliant.

Updated: x4 This article was updated on 04/02/2021 in regards to other media coverage.

Updated: x3 This article was updated on 03/31/2021 to include new information obtained from the court records.

Updated: x2 This article was updated on 03/30/2021. A new Podcast to discuss the updates, along with a response from someone close to Mayor Burns.

Updated: This article was updated on 03/29/2021 with new information regarding the proposed Emma's Landing Housing Project. Please see below for an update.

This April, there will be local elections taking place all over the state. Many of these races are local. That includes school and library boards, city council members, and mayors. These races often have some of the lowest turnouts. Local elections throughout 21 states, and in parts of 19 others, are conducted “off-cycle” — meaning the contests finish sometime other than early November in even-numbered years. Turnout is routinely higher in “on cycle” races, those decided on the same day as elections for president and Congress.

In Illinois in 2019, only 13 percent of the suburb's registered voters cast ballots in that year's election, the lowest rate for any election since at least 2006. It's one of those curious oddities of human political nature that the government that will have the most significant impact on most of our lives receives the least attention from voters. It can't be stressed enough how important these local elections are to our fellow citizens. John Oliver did a story on the importance of local elections back in 2015.

While the segment itself spends most of the time covering the potential for expanding Medicaid, this is just one of many issues decided by what amounts to a small amount of the total electorate. What happens in these elections matters, and that's why this article, in conjunction with The NorotiousSA Podcast, is covering one local election with great interest. It's a place you may not expect to have such high stakes drama, but every election is a story. This is a story about a small town, forty-five miles west of Chicago, and the tale of bad behavior from one elected official.

Geneva is in Kane County and is one of the best places to live in Illinois.

Geneva is a city in and the county seat of Kane County in Illinois. It is located on the western side of the Chicago suburbs. It's part of a tri-city area located between St. Charles and Batavia. In 2019 the estimated population was 21,809. The area experienced rapid population growth from the late 1980s through the mid-2000s as the Chicago suburbs spread to the west.

Geneva is a popular tourist destination with its scenic location along the Fox River and numerous shops and restaurants. There is an extensive bike trail system in Geneva, including portions of the Fox River Trail and the Illinois Prairie Path. Geneva has an active historical society located in downtown Geneva and the Fabyan Windmill, an old Dutch windmill dating back to the 1850s. In 2013, Bloomberg Business Week was nominated as the best place to raise a kid in Illinois.

"This suburb on the outskirts of Chicagoland has many charms," the magazine's description of Geneva reads. "The Fox River Trail allows kids and parents to bike along the waterfront, and the Kane County Cougars, affiliated with the Cubs, play minor league ball at Fifth Third Bank Ballpark. Geneva also boasts well-maintained homes with diverse architectural styles, built by early settlers from New England." Geneva was one of the locations used in the 2001 Film Road to Perdition. It's not often that you see Tom Hanks hanging around a small town.

In the Bloomberg article, the Mayor of Geneva, Kevin Burns, is quoted extensively, praising the town. Kevin Burns has been the mayor of Geneva since 2001. This is his photo taken from an archived version of the city of Geneva's website from 2001.

Here is Mayor Burns presiding over a city council meeting in 2020.

Considering there is an election in Illinois on April 6th, someone close to me told me I should look into the mayor. A friend said to me of alleged bad behavior and corruption. I'll be honest that I didn't know of Kevin Burns until I began researching this article. I heard stories of bad behavior, but looking through the Daily Herald and Kane County Chronicle archives, there wasn't much in terms of the alleged bad behavior. More often than not, most of the coverage has been positive, and he has received endorsements year after year after year. One person has been covering Mayor Burns in more extensive detail, and his name is Jeff Ward. On his website, Thefirstward.net, I found numerous stories with a different take on the mayor. I spoke with Jeff Ward and featured him in my podcast on the same topic.

Bad Deals and Mismanagement

Politicians often stretch the truth or straight-up lie to give themselves the best possible light. Usually, this means that lies can go undetected unless someone follows up (trust but verify). One area in which politicians have lied to us for years is the purpose of red-light cameras. You don't have to dig that far in the news to see Illinois has a problem with red-light cameras. Red-light cameras have been the subject of multiple corruption investigations and have cost Illinois drivers over $1 billion. Geneva is no exception unless you ask Mayor Burns.

Back in 2013, in a press release, in a series of emails, and his stump speeches, Mayor Burns repeatedly and vociferously stated that “Geneva doesn’t write right-on-red tickets. Jeff ward the FOIA'd that information only to find out he wasn't telling the truth. Turns that 40 percent of Geneva’s camera tickets were going to “illegal” right turns. When confronted about the discrepancy, Mayor Burns claimed he was being taken out of context. Burn then said to Ward, "As a journalist, you certainly know that what is often printed is not necessarily what is said," adding, "What I have said and have written ... is this: 'The city does not focus on right-turn-on-red violations.' " Instead of 0, the actual number was closer to 1,415 tickets. It brought the city $177,223 in revenue in 2011. Ward would have numerous fact checks of Mayor Burns, whether about the tax rates and city expenditures or commercial space development. That doesn't even cover using a city cell phone to conduct campaign business. That was covered in more detail by the McHenry County Blog back in 2012. Another FOIA request resulted in hundreds of email exchanges between Geneva Mayor Kevin Burns and others using this government email for political purposes.

Kevin Burns would win reelection in 2013 with 60.1% of the vote.

Jacked Up Electric Rates

When governments make bad deals, it's not the government that picks up the tab; it's the taxpayer's money the government is collecting. What happens when governments make bad deals with unscrupulous actors? Let's look back to 2012. For most of the history of the more than 200 towns and cities tied to the failing Prairie State Energy Campus, households and businesses were charged reasonable rates for the electricity they used.

That all began to change when Prairie State came along in 2012, and the financial fallout has been especially horrific for communities with outsize stakes in the coal-fired plant. Towns and cities that have been hit the hardest also include those who agreed to deals that require them to buy more power than they need, a wrinkle that was pitched from the outset as a way for these municipalities to make money, not lose it.

In one article, a town resident blamed an increase in his electric costs on Geneva, one of 300 communities invested in Prairie State Energy Campus. According to the city’s website, its electric utility keeps its rates stable by receiving power from its facility, landfill gas generation, and its investment in the energy campus. Geneva Mayor Kevin Burns said it was the first time officials had heard of Schmitz’s letter.

Geneva and Batavia the only two Kane County towns to buy the Peabody Energy Co. sales pitch by buying into the Prairie State Energy Campus under the Northern Illinois Municipal Energy Association's guise. The result of which is, while most folks are paying about 50 bucks a megawatt-hour, Genevans were shelling out $70.00. Another suburb, Batavia, sued the company in 2014, but the suit was dismissed in 2015.

Despite participating in and providing no real solutions to the energy issue, Mayor Burns was reelected again in 2017 with 61.7% of the vote.

A Darker Side

Political squabbles and policy differences are something that occurs no matter the election or the people. In an ideal world, this would be our primary focus for deciding who should represent us. In today's 24/7 news cycle, every politician is under a microscope: So when it's revealed that a politician has a legitimately reprehensible history--the kind of past that no one, regardless of political affiliation, could defend--indeed, their career is over. Unless, of course, you live in the real world, where life gets complicated.

On the national stage, we've all had to live with Bill Clinton, Andrew Cuomo, and of course, Donald Trump. Despite these men having well-documented cases of abuse, many will still defend them. Either because the other side is "more dangerous" or because power is the essential part of your identity, and you're willing to overlook troubling behavior. Many voters do, but that doesn't mean we should stop looking into and calling out bad behavior. But what if voters are unaware of a politician's bad behavior? Sunlight is the best disinfectant. This brings us again to Mayor Burns.

Everyone can have policy disagreements, but moral conduct still matters. While doing my report, I kept seeing and hearing rumors of abusive behavior. Still, there was nothing formal—no coverage in the Daily Herald, Kane County Chronicle, or the Chicago Tribune. People talk and spread gossip, so I didn't overthink it. That was until I received two police reports from a source about Mayor Burns in 2009 and 2010. When speaking with Jeff Ward, he confirmed the information, and they show a pattern of disturbing behavior.

I reached out to Mayor Burns through his government office and campaign and received no response at the time of publication.

The Geneva Police Report

Below is a redacted police report regarding Mayor Kevin Burns from the Geneva Police Department.

In the case, while going through a divorce with his then estranged wife, Mayor Burns showed up at her house, claiming to have a court order preventing her from having male visitors while children were present. I haven't able to confirm any such court order existed. When his ex-wife questions the court order, he launches into verbal abuse. I read the report aloud for my podcast, and it hurt to read. I can only imagine being at home when an estranged family shows up and starts shouting horrible things to other family members or me. This report also states there were a total of five domestic calls between Mayor Burns and his ex-wife.

In the #MeToo movement era, abuse cases like this have been hidden under the rugs for decades, only to have the carpet pulled open and the truth exposed. It has forced us to reckon with the past, mainly how men in power have treated women. While some cases (Harvey Weinstein) have shown to be genuinely horrific, others have only recently come to a new light (Woody Allen). If there is a report for this incident, there are likely four other reports detailing other behavior that the Geneva voters deserve to know. Unfortunately, the antics do not end there for Mayor Burns.

The Batavia Police Report

Below is a redacted police report regarding Mayor Kevin Burns from the Batavia Police Department.

Mayor Burns ran two people off to the road and flashed his badge. "I have had a bullshit day, and you are going to pay for it!" I have driven and gotten angry at the behavior of other drives. I've also had a bad day, but I never took it out on two people just going about their business. Considering the case ended with no charges being pressed and the Mayor paying over $500 for vehicular damage, it makes sense the case went quiet.

Ask yourself, if you ran someone off the road in a rage, do you think you would get off only paying for car damages? Before you voted for Mayor, would you want to know if the Mayor did this and the case was sent to County District Attorney for possible criminal charges? I believe the people of Geneva deserve to know.

Considering that these events occurred nearly a decade ago, what good does it do to bring them up now? These aren't old tweets that look bad. These cases involve the Mayor lashing out in anger at innocent people, yet he faced no backlash for his actions.

With that in mind, mayor Burns's claims being pulled over repeatedly for DUI's while facing no arrest starts to seem plausible. Ward claims the Geneva and Batavia police departments let Mayor Burns slide on as many as eight DUIs. Three separate eyewitnesses, including a former Geneva Police officer, told him exactly how it happened. I was skeptical, but then you learn from Chicago Tribune investigations that Illinois drivers — from Chicago and its suburbs to sleepy downstate communities — who are stopped during special DUI patrols and sobriety checkpoints are most likely to be cited for not carrying insurance, a broken taillight or other minor infractions, rather than drunken driving. A special plea deal is regularly cut, allowing those arrested to weave around get-tough laws and remain behind the wheel. I have no official reports regarding Mayor Burns and any suspected DUI's. Based on the two police reports I was able to obtain, mayor Burns's idea is driving drunk and sliding numerous times isn't a far stretch. Would you be scared if you knew your local Mayor might be driving drunk or running people off the road?

Controversial Project

Coming back into this decade, Mayor Burns has been at the forefront of a new development project in Geneva known as Emma's Landing. From the city of Geneva's website: Welcome to Emma's Landing development project page, you will find documents related to this project. The applicant is requesting an Annexation, a Comprehensive Plan Amendment, Preliminary and Final Plat of Subdivision Approval, and Final Planned Unit Development Plan Approval to construct 45 affordable rental townhome units. The applicant, The Burton Foundation, has entered into a Real Estate Purchase Agreement with the City of Geneva to purchase the subject property. The Geneva City Council approved authorizing publicly-owned surplus land at its July 13 City Council Meeting. The City has also updated its fact sheet, answering common questions from residents regarding the agreement and proposed development.  You can see the public comment below.

This project has been the subject of much debate. You can see the numerous complaints listed by citizens here. Residents of the neighboring areas have even taken to GoFundMe for legal expenses. From the page:

The proposed development known as ‘Emma’s Landing,’ to be built and developed by the Burton Foundation of Elgin, IL, would include 45 townhouse-style units. These units would house 200+ additional residents and upwards of 180+ additional cars. In comparison, the same size parcel of land directly across Lewis Rd. from the proposed development site houses only 30 residents. These units will be identified as ‘affordable housing,’ however, they will ONLY be available to individuals currently on a waiting list procured by the Burton Foundation. Any affordable housing that is brought to Geneva must serve the residents of Geneva. On July 13th, the City of Geneva officials will be voting to sell the land for the appraised value of approximately $750,000 or donate the ground for a mere $10 to the Burton Foundation. Potential negative impacts include increased traffic and traffic accidents, increased response time for emergency services, significant flooding on both Fargo Blvd. and Lewis Rd. resulting in road closures, education infrastructure stress, including the need for additional teachers, classroom fixtures and supplies, (including but not limited to books, desks, computers, tablets for at-home use, gym equipment, art supplies, etc.), transportation to and from school and higher property taxes to accommodate the school district and emergency personnel needs. 

Despite massive opposition from the public, the project has been approved. Odds are it will face stiff legal challenges, resulting in Geneva taxpayers paying for the project's defense, not to mention any cost overruns and maintenance issues down the line.

As stated on Jeff Ward's site: To put that in perspective, that’s just like cramming 45 homes, at least 225 people, and 135 vehicles into space the size of Soldier Field, and what could go wrong with that?

Aside from the push for this controversial project, Mayor Burns has made sure other businesses operating in Geneva face fines from the police department for violating Covid Restrictions put in place by Governor Pritzker. This has been a big issue in Geneva. The Foxfire restaurant has been in a legal battle with the Pritzker Administration over enforcement. The restaurant has taken the case to the Illinois Supreme Court. While FoxFire’s limited case is on appeal, Sangamon County Judge Raylene Grischow last month denied the state’s motion to strike discovery in another case and ordered the Pritzker administration to justify his orders or face sanctions like covering FoxFire’s legal fees.

A business that wants to be open has to fight both the Mayor and the Governor; while the Mayor is pushing a development most people don't like despite the potential impacts to traffic, density, and flooding from more action in an already overburdened water system. Mayor Burns seems to have taken the side of the Governor over his constituents. In November, Mayor Burns moved to fine Geneva bars, restaurants, and small businesses that run afoul of Governor Pritzker's COVID mitigations. First-time “offenders” would have to develop a C-note, with the fine increasing to $250 and $500 for the second, third, and any ongoing offenses. When most of the city's all-important Third Street restaurants, bars, and small shops are already suffering, a $500 fine could mean the difference between staying afloat and sinking.

The Importance of Local Elections

That is the power of a person who wins elections a few thousand votes every four years. It may seem as though we don't have much control over anything. In a local election, a mere hundred or thousand voters can determine what happens with millions of dollars, the police's power, the services you get, and if people who do wrong by the community face repercussions. Everyone may be burned-out from the 2020 election, but now is not the time to relax. With the end of the Pandemic insight, the questions of governmental power without a raging virus remain. We have seen plenty of "Do as I say, not as I do." We have seen conflicting orders placed without much thought of effectiveness or cost to the community. We have seen people in power abuse that authority seemingly without consequence.

It all seems too much. But you, reader and listener, have more power than you can imagine. You have immense power in a local election. You and your community may not be able to deal with the entire world, but you can look out for your friends and neighborhoods. You have the power to make a change and do right. You can vote in your local election. April 6th, 2021. Vote.

Update: More Questions about Emma's Landing deal emerge.

Since this story was published, I have received quite a large response. Much has been encouraging, some hateful and childish. That is the way these things go. However, another concerned citizen reached to me with more information regarding a development project called Emma's Landing. With permission, I'm going to paraphrase the information sent to me. I have added emphasis.

Steven,

As I'm sure you are aware, the City of Geneva published a "just the facts" sheet about Emma's Landing (at some point they edited to change from 100 students to 10 students, despite a study that was completed by the Burton Foundation that estimated at least 36 students). There was a FOIA request to Geneva for emails, and I added the red highlights to the timeline. You'll notice that conversations with the Burton Foundation occurred before the City posted a Notice of Sale. 

It's important to note that the Lewis Road Parcel was deemed "Open Space" in the City's strategic plan but had been earmarked for SENIOR affordable housing. The City will tell you it was earmarked for Affordable Housing. Commissioners amended the Comprehensive Plan at the PZC meeting to change the land from Open Space to Multi-Family Residential to accommodate the Burton Foundation.

The attached timeline only goes until June, as the vote to donate the land was then pushed back to July 13 because we couldn't meet during a MANDATORY STATE-WIDE shutdown. It's important to note that Ms. Manning had asked for the land to be donated in January, but it was never mentioned in the March PZC meeting. Mind you; the City was going to vote to donate the land during a virtual meeting in a state-wide shutdown. Still, residents had to hire a personal attorney to show that UNLAWFUL did so and that a super-majority vote was needed. Knowing they couldn't get a super-majority vote, Burns tipped off the Burton Foundation. On the Friday before the meeting, the Burton Foundation suddenly had the funds to purchase the land for the lowest possible (80% of the appraised value). Ahead of the July 13 meeting, Burns published hundreds of unredacted emails to the meeting's public comment section. Included names/addresses/phone numbers. This information could have been pulled via a FOIA, but he took it upon himself to pull all the emails and publish them (they were not sent to the public comment email). Residents got hate mail/threatened on social media. Many ended up not speaking. His intimidation tactics worked again.

To give you the highlights: Land donation helps increase a developer's point score through IHDA and increases government funding chances. In fact, the Burton Foundation lied on their application to IHDA. The land was donated, even though Mayor Burns held the July 13th meeting to ensure the Burton Foundation could meet the deadline for IHDA on July 14th. IHDA announced LIHTC on July 17th, and surprise! Emma's Landing was the recipient. As a reminder, The Burton Foundation bid on the land for MORE than 80% of the appraised value. The City even extended its deadline for applications to December 9th to accommodate this delayed LOI for the Burton Foundation. Tracey Manning was at the Planning and Zoning Meeting three days later talking about the importance of land donation for Affordable Housing. Less than a month later, the City passed ordinance 2020-06, amending the Municipal Code to donate property. Just one week after the ordinance passed, the Burton Foundation asked for the land to be donated, yet had no problem sending an Option Letter to purchase the Nelson Property (only 3 acres for sale at $700,000) for an access point. This is because the Homeowners association would not grant access through their land for a road to be constructed. We later found out that Jim Bergman, of Iceberg Development, is the one who is purchasing the Nelson property. For context, The Burton Foundation and Iceberg Development were recently co-developers for Windmill Manor in Batavia. As Ms. Manning has also stated, her husband’s construction company was the general contractor. Bergman will get a one-time tax credit of 50% of the purchase price, about $350,000.

To watch Mayor Burns defend himself when asked if he has something to gain, be sure to check out the video of the meeting. The exchange with the attorney starts at 35:26 and goes until 47:40.

Despite ALL of this, 7.5 hours of public comment against Emma's Landing and the lack of transparency passed with flying colors last month.

Mayor Burns spends several minutes "correcting the record" and puts on a dramatic show of righteous indignation to emphasize how above-board he was during the entire process. What he doesn't mention is that the process of getting Emma's Landing in motion. Below is the timeline presented by the City of Geneva with information FOIA request to the city of Geneva emails and added the red highlights to the timeline. It paints a different picture of more extensive contact between the City of Geneva and the Burton Foundation.

If that wasn't enough, there are still more questions.

Despite most states deeming that "Identity of Interest" includes spouses in their QAP, IHDA states that there is no Identity of Interest under their standards (even HUD says if you use a spouse, you need to disclose). Throughout the process, it was evident that IHDA wants Emma's Landing as badly as the City of Geneva. Keep in mind, Door Creek Construction was also used on these other Burton Foundation Affordable Housing Developments, and the relationship between Manning/Fellhauer was never disclosed. Ms. Manning/Fellhauer has made quite a profit over the years under the facade of a non-profit:

-Sterling Family Housing

-Water's Edge of Elgin

-Windmill Manor Apartments

-Windmill Landings

-Stonebridge of Gurnee

-Marison Mill

As mentioned in my previous email, Fellhauer and Burns were high school buddies, but our City Attorney saw no problems with how all of this was conducted. Then again, if you've ever googled "Ron Sandack," you'll see he has quite the track record. We actually pay taxes to support him... if only residents knew his background. Below is the email that was sent to IHDA, with supporting docs. Another resident also opened a case with HUD, the IRS, and State's Attorney, but they have not heard back. Shocker.

We have had many City Council/PZC Meetings to discuss the project. The documents that the Burton Foundation submitted don't seem to support statements Ms. Manning has provided in the meetings. Below are some of the items I'm concerned about:

In case IHDA is not aware, Door Creek Construction is listed as General Contractor for Emma's Landing, with Bryan Fellhauer as the point of contact. Bryan Fellhauer is Ms. Manning's husband, though she never disclosed this until a resident asked her when she was under oath at the 1/28/21 Geneva PZC meeting. At that time, Ms. Manning stated that she "texted" her husband, the General Contractor for this development, to ask what he does because she didn't know his job for Door Creek Construction. He said he is a project manager. This appears to be inconsistent with the information provided by the Secretary of State. See the attached document from the Illinois Secretary of State website that lists him as a Door Creek Construction LLC Manager. I've also attached the BBB listing that shows him as President. Lastly, I've attached the Credit Report for Door Creek Construction that shows them as Medium-High Risk.

There are also many inconsistencies between what Ms. Manning has stated versus the documents that we have received from you through my FOIA request. The documents don't seem to support what Ms. Manning has stated. I have attached the Burton Foundation IHDA Application, where she states the land was donated by the City of Geneva. The City did not donate the land. The Burton Foundation entered into a real-estate agreement with the City of Geneva to purchase the land for a minimum of 80% of the appraised value, which is $576,000.00.

To gain an access point for Emma's Landing, 3 acres of unincorporated land needed to be purchased by The Burton Foundation. Instead, Jim Bergman (from Iceberg Development... a developer who was also awarded 9% LIHTC in 2020) has an option agreement to purchase the land and then plans on giving it to the Burton Foundation. Is this common practice? Should this have been disclosed on their application?

It was also stated on the Identity of Interest Certification that there is no identity of interest between the Owner and General Contractor. I have attached the Identity of Interest Certification that The Burton Foundation filed with their application to IHDA. The box is CLEARLY checked that there is no Identity of Interest between the Owner and General Contractor. As mentioned before, Ms. Manning and Bryan Fellhauer of Door Creek Construction are married. I'm not sure if an Identity of Interest would also need to be filled out from Jim Bergman. Who is buying/donating land for the access point? If there is an Identity of Interest, construction costs should have been filed by a third-party Construction Cost Estimating firm (see attached for standards regarding Identity of Interest). However, it was completed by Ms. Manning's husband, Bryan Fellhauer.

Reading through all of that, many of you probably feel like Mark Wahlberg in The Other Guys.

Yet Allen and Terry investigate a scaffolding permit violation by multi-billionaire Sir David Ershon but wind up uncovering a much bigger plot. It's these small, boring, sometimes mundane aspects of local government where some of the worst shenanigans take place.

Mayor Burns so far has refused comment.

Updated x2

This is statement given to me from one of the Mayors Campaign staff:

Emma Bee

Facebook

You're not friends on Facebook

Lives in Geneva, Illinois

2:24 PM

Emma sent Today at 2:24 PM

Steve, 

I absolutely will continue to delete your comments, thank you for the suggestion.  

My father and our family is running a campaign based on positivity and our page is reserved for promoting my Dad’s campaign, we do not resort to tearing others down because we are too busy promoting Kevin to be bothered with petty cyber bullying. 

Just because your posts aren’t gaining enough traction on their own does not mean that you can use our social media to promote yourself. If people wanted to listen to your podcast, they would. And your listeners certainly won’t be finding you online via Kevin Burns.

I suggest keeping your hatred and judgment to your own private page or to Simonian’s page - your negativity and desperation will feel much more at home on the other side. Our target audiences are not the same. 

Respectfully, 

Back off. 

- Emma Burns

Below is a link to the updated Podcast.

Update: New Court records preview troubling patterns.

Below is information obtained from a source, but is publicly available here.

So here is our timeline so far for police interactions with Mayor Burns:

• June 2001: Kevin Burns cited for driving 15-20 MPH above the posted speed limit.
• May 2006: Kevin Burns cited for operating any motor vehicle that is equipped with registration plate covers.
• August 2008: Order of protection against Kevin Burns Granted.
• September 2008: Order of protection against Kevin Burns is dismissed.
• February 2009: Geneva police respond to a domestic incident involving Kevin Burns.
• January 2010: Kevin Burns cited for Prohibited Driving in the left lane.
• June 2010: Kevin Burns cited for operation of an uninsured motor vehicle.
• October 2010: Batavia Police respond to an incident involving Kevin Burns.
• December 2010: Kevin Burns cited for failing to reduce speed.

Update: Local media is shown hard evidence, questions motives of the story

Like any responsible person, I sent links to this story to other media outlets to check out and cover. I'm not surprised no one picked it up. I'm sure they get hundreds of these every day and mine was just overlooked. However, the Kane County Chronicle has engaged in rather curious behavior. I received a hostile response from one of their writers.

As mentioned earlier, I have not received any payment from anyone about this story. In the fact, as the readership continues to grow, wheels are slowly turning to try and rally around Mayor Burns. While the Kane County Chronicle hasn't reported on my story, they have had some coverage of the race since my story was published.

Had I not received a hostile response from the staff, I wouldn't see any correlation between their coverage and the Mayor Burns Campaign. However, while Mayor Burns has not responded, he sent out a message on Facebook telling the people of Geneva "Everyone is entitled to his own opinion, but not his own facts."

He talks about the budget and his opponent, but see if you can sense the message he is trying to get out.

In what is a classic political strategy, Mayor Burns is using a different issue as a proxy to rebuff the sources and documentation in this story. There has been no formal response from either the Office of the Mayor or the Mayor's Campaign.

Update: Kane County Chronicle tries to cover for Mayor, another citizen comes forward.

The Kane County Chronicle, despite earlier emails saying they already covered the issue of Emma's Landing, has decided the issue now needs more attention. Controversial development becomes fodder in Geneva mayoral contest. There is one line I found to be particularly insightful:

Burns said if someone writes to him, as a public official, and he shares that information “in the spirit of public transparency,” because it is a public body’s right and obligation to do so – “that’s not nefarious. That’s actually the transparency people are looking for.” Burns suggested that if someone did not want their letter “broadcast all over the place, particularly communication that is tough, then think twice before you are writing.”

In the spirit of transparency, I received another email from another citizen of Geneva. While the Mayor's campaign page has started to put out videos stressing that these voters LIVE in Geneva (a theme which I'm sure has nothing to do with someone from outside the town writing about the mayor.) others have written to me to discuss their own stories of being bullied. One email, in particular, stood out to me, as it goes to one of the central issues regarding Mayor Burns. Below is the email in full from a citizen who is afraid for obvious reasons:

Really enjoyed the mayoral article. It was spot on! I've known the family for ages...you couldn't have pieced it together any better...and it's all true...sadly. He can't run his own life (or family)...he's got NO business running the town!!! Steven, one more thing...he tried to run me and my family off the road too...no kidding! I'm a person of integrity and would never say it unless it was TRUE. I still don't think he knew it was my family in the car. He's incredibly troubled on so many different fronts.

As the number of readers continues to grow, my hope is that this project serves as a testament to the brave citizens of Geneva who have been afraid to speak the truth for too long. Election day is tomorrow 04/06/2021.

Update: Election results

With all precincts reporting, Mayor Kevin Burns defeated challenger Tom Simonian. Burns received 2,434 votes to Simonian’s 2,136, a difference of 298 votes in unofficial results Tuesday night.