Three hopefuls file Monday for Elgin City Council

Three people - a newcomer and two incumbents - filed nominating petitions Monday to run for four seats Elgin City Council in April. The two incumbents who didn't file say they plan to do so.

Resident Brandon Yaniz and Councilman Rich Dunne's wife, Judy - who filed for her husband - were waiting to file when the clerk's office opened at 8 a.m. A lottery conducted by the clerk Dec. 7 will determine whether Dunne or Yaniz will get the top spot on the April 4 ballot.

Councilman Terry Gavin filed his petitions later in the day. Council members John Prigge and Carol Rauschenberger also are up for re-election and said they plan to run again. All are four-year terms.

Two years ago, five people battled for the top spot on the ballot, as a total of 13 people ran for office, including the mayor's post, which is not up for election in April.

Yaniz, who said he owns a business consulting company downtown, said the city needs to behave more like a business and treat residents as customers.

"Elgin is a good city, but it could be better," said Yaniz, who served about a decade ago on a parking committee for the Downtown Neighborhood Association of Elgin.

Candidates need at least 71 signatures in support of their run for office, equal to 1 percent of the total votes cast in the last mayoral election.

Dunne said someone who gathered signatures for him said some voters are fed up with politics.

"There is apathy toward politics, maybe worse than apathy - oversaturization," said Dunne, who is seeking a third term, and works as a fire program specialist for the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Dunne said he wants to focus on improving the city's code compliance department. "Culturally, the city has not addressed this. The amount of resources we put into it is minimal. Everything isn't answered by software."

Gavin, an insurance broker, said he will continue to focus on economic development in Elgin, from where "there is nothing but good news coming out." Gavin serves on the workforce development committee of the Elgin Development Group.

Prigge, an auctioneer who is running for a third term, said his focus continues to be on keeping spending in check and increase transparency.

"Stop the mantra of raising taxes first and asking questions second while building fiscal faith," he said.

Rauschenberger, who'll be vying for a second term, said she wants to preserve Elgin's "excellent" services, including fire, police, water and public works, continue to help downtown become a more lively urban center and collaborate with Elgin Area School District U-46 to serve residents. The deadline to file nominating petitions is 5 p.m. Nov. 28 at the city clerk's office.