At least six plan to file this week for ECC trustee race

At least six people have expressed an interest in entering the race for two Elgin Community College trustee seats.

The filing period for the April 7 election begins Tuesday, Jan. 20, and ends Jan. 26.

Incumbents Robert Getz and Diane Stredde, both of Elgin, are each seeking re-election to 6-year terms.

In addition, board of trustees administrative assistant Cheryl Petersen said, four newcomers have recently picked up petition packets.

Donna Schuring-Redmer, a Kane County Regional Office of Education restructuring coach and West Dundee resident, announced her candidacy Jan. 6.

"As a candidate I am prepared to meet the future challenges facing ECC. Those challenges include increased enrollment and addressing phase one of the master plan for 2008-15," Schuring-Redmer said in a recent news release.

Robin Lisboa of Elgin, a division administrator for English Language Learning at the State Board of Education, also picked up a packet, Petersen said.

Lisboa said Friday she was not yet ready to comment on the race.

Ali Fadel of Elgin, who also picked up a packet, could not be reached for comment.

Recently retired ECC automotive department professor Richard Green said that he sees serving as a trustee as "a good way to stay active, and to give back (to the college.)"

If elected, the Elgin residents said, priorities would be keeping tuition affordable and taking care of the college's existing facilities.

Because individuals are also able to pick up packets at Kane, Cook, McHenry, DeKalb and DuPage County clerks offices, the total number of individuals in running for a trustee seat is unknown, Petersen said.

To qualify, candidates for election must be registered voters and residents of District 509 for one year before the election.

"Some years we've only had two or three (individuals pick up packets)," Petersen said. "It looks like it's going to be a nice race," she said.