Munson a tireless advocate in Elgin

Since 1990, when the Elgin Leadership Academy began, I have had the opportunity and privilege to work with many committed community leaders. Among them is State Rep. Ruth Munson, who participated in our first class.

After she moved to our community, Ruth wanted to learn about the Elgin area and the volunteer opportunities that were available for her to serve others. The academy was able to provide her with that knowledge and afford her opportunities to network as she made new acquaintances.

As I got to know her, I observed her innate leadership skills, her passion for making life better for others and her ability to actually get things accomplished.

For example, she had the vision to engage the entire community in building a playground at McKinley School.

With that vision, she established a collaborative team of neighbors, parents, students and school and community officials that saw the project through to a successful conclusion.

This same collaborative approach has been the trademark of Ruth. As an Elgin City Council member, as a small-business owner and now, as a state representative, Ruth continues to impress me with her ability to bring people together to look for solutions and to successfully solve problems.

Whether working with residents at Willow Lake Estates to achieve fair rental practices, establishing an area-wide after school network for our youth or developing a program to prevent identity theft, Ruth has continuously and relentlessly worked for her 43rd District constituents as well as all the citizens of Illinois.

Dan Fox

Elgin