Republican sides with Dems in new county leadership deal Board chairman Sands says committee has its own deal

DeKALB - Despite his caucus' feelings, a Republican county board member stands firm in his agreement with Democrats to vote in their leader as chair. He in turn would become the board's vice chair. Jeff Metzger, R-Sandwich, announced during a press conference Monday afternoon at Nehring Forest Preserve that he will support Democrat Ruth Anne Tobias of DeKalb as the next chair. Tobias, who has been on the board since 1999, would be the county's first woman chair. The 25-year-old said he hoped his caucus would understand his desire to end the standoff between the county board's Republicans and Democrats over the issue. By agreeing to vote with the Democrats on chair leadership, Metzger would give that side 13 votes. The board is evenly split,