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Rebecca Stout: Candidate Profile

West Chicago City Council Ward 6

Back to West Chicago City Council Ward 6

Note: Answers provided have not been edited for grammar, misspellings or typos. In some instances, candidate claims that could not be immediately verified have been omitted. Jump to:BioQA Bio City: WEST CHICAGOWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: West Chicago City Council Ward 6 Age: 49Family: Husband Ken, Son Matt (Anne) Stout, Daughter Beth (Ben) TanclOccupation: care taker for elderly parentEducation: Candidate did not respond.Civic involvement: Chair of West Chicago Citizen Corps (CERT). Trustee, West Chicago Mosquito Abatement Comm. Dist. 33 Safety Committee National Night Out CommitteeElected offices held: Alderman 6th Ward since 2003 Trustee, West Chicago Mosquito Abatement Comm.Questions Answers What makes you the best candidate for the job?I have lived in West Chicago for over 40 years. I know many of the people and the challenges we all experience. I also know the potential for positive change that is possible. I went through the school system here.I have been active in city events as well as public safety programs. I have represented the 6th ward for 12 years. I feel with these experiences I'm the best person to represent my constituents.What is your opinion of your community's present level of local sales and property taxes? Is the tax just right, too low or too high? Explain.West Chicago has one of the lowest property tax rates in the county. The City has been fiscally responsible and has been able to offer the best services (police, public works, schools, library and fire department) at rates that keep owning a home and raising a family more attainable.Rate the efficiency of your town's police and fire coverage. Are the departments well prepared for the next decade? What, if anything, should be changed? Do you have specific public safety concerns?West Chicago's police department has help reduce the crime rate in the City to make it one of the safest communities in the United States. They have addressed gang issues, speeding, robbery and they work proactively to keep the residents safety the number 1 concern. The Fire Department has added 2 additional fire stations which has helped reduce response times to incident calls in all parts of the fire protection district.Where, if anywhere, could the current budget be trimmed, and conversely, are there areas the budget does not give enough money to?Having privatized several positions within the City much of the budget has already been trimmed thereby saving residents money. West Chicago has been able to operate a very lean budget and maintains the quality of services to a very high standard.What's one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?I think getting better community involvement in programs like neighborhood watch and CERT programs where people take ownership for their safety and the safety of others around them will make for a better community. The more people have invested in the community the more they want to improve it and make it better place to live, raise families and do business in.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?I would like to see a revitalization of the commercial corridor on the south side including rt 38. The potential for business opportunities, added tax revenue as well as improving property values is great if this can occur.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Rev. Billy GrahamWhat's the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?Always remember where you can from and give back, or do the best to leave any place better than it was when you found it.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?I would spend more time with my grandparents before they passed away so I could know more about them and where I can from.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?My favorite subject was music. I believe music is without race, color or creed and can unite people like no other way to communicate.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Same as I grew up believing...leave this place better than it was when you got here.