Elgin voters to pick Powers' successor

It turns out Elgin won't appoint someone to fill former Councilman Mike Powers' spot after all.

Trustees are giving you the power do it for them - during a special spring election for the two-year seat.

The city council made the decision Wednesday night in executive session, Councilman Dave Kaptain said Thursday.

"The feeling on the council was that it's so close to the election that by the time we ... chose somebody, it could be 60 days anyway," he said.

Powers stepped down from the council last month, citing a conflict of interest with the Chicago Bandits softball team.

This time around, the six-member council did not solicit information from people who wanted to replace Powers.

When longtime council member Marie Yearman died in July 2003, the council put the word out that it would replace her.

But despite 32 applicants, the council couldn't agree on a replacement and decided to leave her seat empty for more than a year until the next election. Kaptain won that two-year seat and was later elected to a full term.

A February primary will be held if more than one person wants the seat.

Anyone interested in running for the seat should call the city clerk at (847) 931-5660.