Who is Brian Costin, and is he trying to take over Schaumburg?

People often criticize their government when they see something in need of change.

But Brian Costin's critiques of the Schaumburg Village Board have been more comprehensive than most.

The 29-year-old started the Schaumburg Freedom Coalition last year to push for more online access to documents and less government involvement in the economy.

Seemingly out of nowhere, he's emerged as one of the most vocal critics of Schaumburg government, both at village board meetings and on the Internet.

While the classic image of a community gadfly is an older resident who speaks out at meetings and writes letters to the editor, Costin brings a 21st-century twist to the archetype.

Often the youngest person at board meetings, he reinforces his message through his own Web site and frequent participation on the Daily Herald's online comment board.

Costin has lived in Schaumburg Township for 22 years but in the village less than two. He calls himself a fan of Schaumburg politics but believes it could be "a shining example" of transparency and fiscal discipline. Atop his agenda is getting more village documents online without residents having to request them.

Village Manager Ken Fritz said Schaumburg is already upgrading its Web site, which should make it easier to post more documents. But it's impractical to think every one can get online, he said.

Adam Sesso, the youngest Schaumburg Township library trustee, thinks a generation gap could be at the heart of the issue.

"Our generation likes to have all information at our fingertips via the Internet," said Sesso, 27.

One of Costin's other big issues is more philosophical.

As a libertarian who believes in an unfettered free market, he sees the village's ownership of a convention center, airport and baseball stadium as a form of "corporate welfare."

Eying Larson in 2011

Costin's board meeting demeanor is polite but he also blogs, in a more critical tone, about the lack of immediate response to his questions.

He also made a show of passing out pamphlets outside a board meeting opposing the village's red-light camera, though it was clear by that point trustees were already leaning toward deactivating it.

What's more, he's looking for candidates to challenge the board in 2011 - including longtime Mayor Al Larson, should he seek another term. (The three trustee seats up this spring are uncontested.)

Costin himself doesn't plan to run for local office, saying his job with the Heartland Institute, a nonprofit that advocates libertarian principles, precludes him from holding public office.

Larson doesn't believe most residents share Costin's lack of patience for a question to be properly researched.

"I'm more convinced he's not interested in the answers, but merely trying to score points," Larson said.

The mayor also disagrees with Costin's assertion that the free market will solve most problems and government should provide only basics like police and fire protection.

Village role too big?

"I certainly believe in a free market, but there have to be checks and balances," Larson said. "We are in the business of long-term economic development."

Village pressure paved the way for Town Square at Schaumburg and Roselle roads, an opportunity the free market had plenty of time to realize itself, he said.

Larson also points to the Schaumburg Regional Airport, which he said the village bought using federal money for about 90 percent of its cost.

While Costin called it merely a place to indulge an expensive hobby, Larson said the airport brings businesses to town and, therefore, true economic benefit.

Costin's suggestion that the village to sell its new convention center to a private owner, in part to put it back on the property tax rolls, confounds Larson and some experts.

Doug Ducate, president of the Center for Exhibition Industry Research, said privately owned convention centers have made little sense and are extremely rare, as their primary purpose is to generate money for nearby businesses.

"The simple reason for (municipalities') owning them is that a convention center is a magnet for visitors, visitors that spend money and leave," Ducate said. "Most politicians have found that it's safer to tax visitors than to tax voters."

Attracting visitors to Schaumburg has been a long-held principle. But Costin thinks visitors and residents should have relief from the village's high sales taxes.

"I'm concerned about the sustainability under our current government," Costin said. "Schaumburg is desperate for new ideas and those have to come from outside, rather than inside."