Dozens express interest in Elgin council seat

Will there be a Barack Obama effect for the Elgin City Council race in the spring?

The contest for four open seats is nonpartisan, meaning candidates aren't listed as Democrat or Republican.

But the number of people who picked up nominating packets suggests plenty of people want change.

At least two dozen people have expressed interest in running. In February 2007, 11 people ran for three city council seats - thus forcing a primary and a race that resulted in two incumbents getting bounced.

"We have passed out 24 packets and they also were available on the (city's Web site)," said Elgin City Clerk Diane Robertson, noting a full count on who downloaded information online was unavailable. "It will be interesting to see how many come back."

That process begins at 8 a.m. Monday when residents may file for one of four seats. The filing period closes at 5 p.m. Dec. 15.

If candidates turn in their petitions at the same time, a lottery will be held to decide who is listed first. A date for that has not been set.

Candidates only need to obtain 57 signatures on nominating petitions from registered voters in order to be placed on the ballot.

That low number is determined by statute - 1 percent of the 5,665 total votes cast in the last mayoral election.

Three 4-year seats are up for election this spring. They belong to Robert Gilliam, John Walters and Juan Figueroa. They have been on the city council since 1973, 1987 and 1999, respectively.

The final seat is the remaining two years for the term of Mike Powers, who stepped down in August.

If 13 people or more file for the three, 4-year council seats, a primary election will be held on Feb. 24, Robertson said. Five or more people must put in for the two-year term for a primary election to be scheduled.