The growth of Kane County from virgin prairie to an agricultural-industrial area is a study in the evolution of modern government. Now the fifth most populous County in the state, Kane County is included in that part of Illinois travelled by French explorers Father Jacques Marquette and Louis Joliet in 1673.

At the time of statehood, written records indicate that only Native Americans resided in the area now known as Kane County. However, settlers soon began to take over this land, and resident tribes were forced to the west of Iowa.

On January 16, 1836, the Illinois legislature formed a new County and named it after Elias Kent Kane, the highly-respected attorney who helped draft the Illinois constitution and was the first Secretary of State. Kane was later elected to Congress and represented Illinois in the U.S. Senate until his death in 1835.

According to the census bureau, as of 2002 Kane County's population is estimated to be over 443,000 and is steadily increasing due largely to expansion from the Chicagoland area. More Kane County farm lands are being rezoned to fit the demand of housing construction.

The Kane County Board is now struggling with the problem of maintaining the traditional beauty and open spaces of Kane County despite the pressures for rapid development of the agricultural areas.

Come join the people of Kane County make this the best county in all of Illinois!