(WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- As the COVID-19 pandemic enters another year, leaders in Kane County are stopping to remember the lives lost -- and inspire hope among residents.
A memorial now sits outside of the Kane County Courthouse honoring the more than 1,000 residents who have died of COVID-19 complications over the course of the pandemic.
In its early stages, County Coroner Rob Russell predicted several hundred deaths, which was met with criticism and skepticism.
“I didn’t predict this to incite any panic or to somehow make myself relevant,” he told a crowd outside of the courthouse Friday afternoon. “I did this because I have always believed that servant leaders must anticipate rather than just react.
“Although we are here to memorialize all of our Kane County deaths due to COVID, we must remember that each and every one of those numbers was a person. A life.”
The memorial will be on display until next Friday.
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