Elgin councilman: Chamber president 'stonewalling' requests

An Elgin councilman accused the president of the Elgin Area Chamber of Commerce of "stonewalling" requests for information regarding entertainment expenses for economic development purposes.

Councilman John Prigge says Carol Gieske has refused the request he made last summer asking for 2013 data for "wining and dining" expenses by the Elgin Development Group, a division of the Chamber, with which the city has a $275,000 yearly contract.

City Manager Sean Stegall also asked for that information on Prigge's behalf and received nothing, Prigge said at the council's committee of the whole meeting Wednesday night.

"You've been stonewalling the taxpayers, stonewalling the manager, stonewalling myself and the council," he said, later adding. "If I can't get that information, I need to know why."

Gieske replied that she thought the request referred to the expenses incurred by the chamber, not the Elgin Development Group.

"I would be glad to get back to you," she said.

Prigge replied he thought his request had been clear, but that he would give Gieske the benefit of the doubt.

After the meeting, Stegall also said he believes Gieske understood the nature of the request.

However, Stegall also said, "I think that they (Gieske and Elgin Development Group) are aware that Councilman Prigge's request isn't reflective of the majority of the council," referring to Prigge's repeated questioning of the group's value and activities.

The exchange between Prigge and Gieske took place after a presentation by Elgin Development Group Economic Development Director Tony Lucenko, who said Elgin's economic growth was "a standout" in the region last year.

Elgin Development Group played a role in attracting 13 new businesses - although only one or two from direct initiative - to the city last year, mostly in manufacturing, logistics, warehousing and the like, EDG officials said. Those businesses will contribute a combined $50 million to $70 million economic impact to city, Lucenko said.

Lucenko couldn't say how many businesses left Elgin last year, but the difference was a net gain, he said.

Elgin Development Group focuses on attracting manufacturing, because it's a growing sector that in turn fuels need for housing and office space, Lucenko said.