Elgin mayor chats with residents online

In a wide-ranging Internet chat Wednesday night, Elgin Mayor Ed Schock answered questions from residents about the economy, new restaurants and whether he will seek a third term in 2011.

The chat was the first of its kind held by city officials. Schock took 21 questions via Internet and several more from patrons gathered at the Gail Borden Public Library, where the microphone and spotlights were set up.

Schock, who was elected mayor in 1999, said he is undecided about whether to run again.

"I've enjoyed (serving as mayor) immensely," said Schock, who noted one accomplishment he is particularly proud of is opening up the Fox River's banks to more public uses.

"If a year and a half from now I still have the drive and passion I think the job requires, I may seek another term but I also need to discuss it with my wife, who at times gets frustrated with the time that I'm away," he said.

Schock said the recent closing of Prairie Rock Brewery should not detract from the downtown's momentum as a whole. He said a "very popular" restaurant chain was contemplating a move to Randall Road in Elgin, but he's been "sworn to secrecy" as to which chain it is.

Schock said construction on a new Wal-Mart and Sam's Club will begin this spring at Randall and Bowes roads, but the project has been delayed by poor soil conditions and Kane County requirements that Wal-Mart improve the intersection.

The mayor said city leaders recently went to Springfield to state their case for federal stimulus money, which is distributed by the state. The city has already landed $2.1 million in federal money to buy foreclosed homes and hire contractors to rehab them.

"The task will be to sell them," he said.

Sue Olafson, city spokeswoman, said the chat was free from technical glitches and 95 percent of viewers gave it a positive review.

"That's outstanding," Schock said. "I thought it went well."

Olafson said at its peak, about 30 viewers were logged on the city's Web site, cityofelgin.org, where the chat will be archived. More people viewed the chat than that because some people only watched part of it or didn't ask questions.

Olafson said officials planned to hold another chat, perhaps in the summer or quarterly. "It's something we could definitely entertain doing this year," she said.