New group holds drop-in meetings Friday, Saturday
A new group in Elgin aims to engage residents in local government - including efforts targeting youths and Latinos - in hopes of increasing voter turnout and participation in civic activities.
The Elgin Civics Club is holding drop-in meetings at various spots in Elgin this week to spread the word about its mission, said Tonya Lucchetti-Hudson, one of the founding members.
"The club aims to broaden the city's base of informed and engaged residents," she said. "Our long-term goals include supporting good government principles and building the next generation of civic leaders."
The group will use social media - including Facebook, Twitter and Instagram - to spread the word "in fun and modern ways," she said.
The Elgin Civics Club is nonpartisan and will not endorse or push for the election of any specific candidates, Lucchetti-Hudson said.
"We don't care who (the residents) vote for," she said. "We just want to be sure that, No. 1, they vote, and No. 2, that vote is an informed vote."
The effort started with about eight founding members in December and now numbers about 25 people, many of whom have been working "behind the scenes" in their own neighborhoods, she said.
Elgin resident Keith Perry said he and his wife, Deborah, attended a club meeting earlier this week and plan to be involved as much as their schedules permit.
"My wife and I have always been active in politics through being interested in campaigns and elections," he said. "This seemed to be an opportunity for us to get involved in helping with some apathy that's showing through voter statistics and voter turnout."
Voter turnout in Elgin's 2013 municipal election was an average 9.1 percent in Cook and Kane counties.
"We're excited in having a hand in getting a word in, where we might be able to turn that around," Perry said.
Elgin Civics Club founding member Ivette Medina said she and her husband, Mario, along with their daughter and their daughter's fiance, will focus on engaging Latino residents by using social media - especially Facebook - to spread the word. The club also plans to have Spanish-language information on its website, she said.
"We want to get the word out about our local government and just try to get the Hispanic population more involved and aware," Medina said. "I definitely think it's going to be about getting them to think differently. Getting them to know that their voice matters, I think, is the most important thing."
The Elgin Civics Club is also dedicated to encouraging youths to participate in the electoral process, Lucchetti-Hudson said. To that end, a battle of the bands will take place 8 to 11 p.m. Feb. 27 at Side Street Studio Arts, 15 Ziegler Court in Elgin, where residents will be able to register to vote in the April 7 election.
The club also will promote forums organized by any other entities in Elgin, Lucchetti-Hudson said.
The Elgin Civics Club will hold drop-in meetings 8:15 to 9 a.m. Friday at Blue Box Cafe, 176 E. Chicago St., and 9 to 9:45 a.m. Saturday at Big Apple Bagels, 561 N. McLean Blvd.
For information, visit elgincivicsclub.com or facebook.com/elgincivicsclub.