Ending months of speculation driven by a health-related absence from his office, Kane County Sheriff Ron Hain announced his retirement Friday, effective November 1, 2026, citing his health and concern for continuity of leadership.
“Serving the people of Kane County has been the honor of my life,” said Sheriff Hain. “I’m proud of what we built together and prouder still of the men and women of this office who show up for this community every single day. The work that means the most to me, helping people get treatment and a real second chance instead of just a jail cell, happened because of great partners: State’s Attorney Mosser, our County Board, our fellow agencies, and the recovery and treatment providers who believed in it with us. I know I’m leaving the office in excellent hands with Undersheriff Amy Johnson. Thank you for trusting me with this responsibility.”
Hain was first elected in November 2018 and re-elected in 2022. The hallmarks of his tenure were sometimes controversial programs designed to improve public safety, reduce recidivism, and address the opioid crisis.
Hain shifted the office’s approach to mental health and substance abuse issues, launching the “A Way Out” program in 2019 that was meant to help individuals struggling with drug addiction access treatment, recovery services, and reentry support. In 2021, he launched a social worker program at the Sheriff’s Office and joined the State’s Attorney’s Office in advocating for a Mental Health Unit at local hospitals. In 2023, the two offices teamed up again and established the Child Exploitation Unit to investigate internet crimes against children. Hain led the Sheriff’s Office through the implementation of the Illinois SAFE-T Act, which included the elimination of cash bail in Kane County.
Hain’s critics contended that many of the programs implemented were outside the mandate of the Sheriff’s office and questioned their effectiveness in terms of reducing recidivism.
Throughout his career, Hain served on the boards of the Marie Wilkinson Food Pantry, the Juvenile Justice Council, and Kane County CASA. He also served as chairman of the Illinois State TRIAD Association and the Kane County DUI Task Force.
Hain joined the Kane County Sheriff’s Office as a deputy in March 2003 and was later promoted to sergeant. He developed a reputation for investigating and apprehending narcotics traffickers and became recognized as an expert in interstate criminal and terrorist interdiction. He went on to spearhead the office’s interdiction unit. He also served as a SWAT team leader, canine handler, and, while sheriff, reestablished the Deputy Cadet and Explorer Post Program divisions for Kane County.
Before joining the Kane County Sheriff’s Office, Hain served with the DuPage County Sheriff’s Office, West Chicago Police Department, and Waubonsee Campus Police.
“I want to thank Sheriff Hain for his years of service to this community and his partnership with me and my office to make Kane County safer,” said Kane County State’s Attorney Jamie Mosser. “When I was newly elected, it was Sheriff Hain who assisted me most in undertaking this significant role. He was not only a mentor but also a trusted friend and confidant. His vision for the jail in providing treatment and job skills transformed the way we look at criminal justice. It has been an honor to work alongside him these past six years. I wish him the best in retirement, as he truly deserves it! Please join me in thanking him for his decades of service, leadership, and lasting impact on Kane County.”
