Elgin mayor hopefuls hold first debate

With less than three months to go before local elections, the two candidates for Elgin mayor took part in a civil debate Tuesday but showcased their differences on the economy and other issues.

The live hourlong discussion on WRMN-AM 1410 radio between three-term incumbent Ed Schock and Councilman Dave Kaptain was the first debate between the two candidates since the candidate filing period ended in November. A town hall forum featuring the two candidates sponsored by the Association for Legal Americans was held in October.

The economy — and the issues that stem from it — dominated the discussion.

The city council “made some tough decisions” to lay off employees a couple of years ago, but Kaptain said those were necessary cuts to keep a balanced budget.

Schock said he has lobbied at the state level for a reduction in property taxes — a main concern he said residents have discussed with him.

Schock said that while the state as a whole has been seen as a less desirable place to locate a business, Elgin has been on “a record run” in attracting businesses. Revenues from a downtown tax increment financing district, where property taxes above a certain level are funneled back into development, have exceeded expectations, and property values there are rising, he said.

He said grim unemployment figures may not be a reflection on the local economy, since most workers in Elgin commute from other towns. But he said more has to be done in work force development to raise the skill levels of workers here.

Kaptain said the city's neighborhoods are more at risk now than they were a decade ago, and the number of foreclosures in Elgin — more than 1,000 — has to be addressed.

“In my neighborhood, I look at vacant houses and it's really a problem for us,” he said.

Kaptain said he's also concerned that Elgin's poverty rate is growing faster than any other suburban community other than Waukegan.

Schock said the city's neighborhoods are far better off today than when he first took office. Under his watch, a city code enforcement department was established, and rules mandating inspection of foreclosed houses were implemented, he said.

Affordable housing

Kaptain said the city should start a program to encourage more age-restricted rental properties to address a growing senior population who may not be able to afford senior living communities like Elgin's Del Webb development. Schock said he agreed on senior housing but thinks Elgin has enough affordable housing in general.

Illegal immigration

Schock said the city has done everything it can within the law and has been a good partner with Immigration and Customs Enforcement. But it is limited because he said illegal immigration is a federal issue.

“We're not going to break the law by enforcing the law,” he said.

Kaptain said the city should be concerned with making sure legal residents of Elgin get jobs here, and it has a right to ask businesses to screen their employees if given economic incentives.

Why they're running

Kaptain said he decided to challenge Schock after residents encouraged him to.

“They've said, ‘We like Ed but,'... and I'll just leave it at that,” Kaptain said. “Not everybody is happy with the way things have gone. From my standpoint, I think the people of Elgin deserve a choice and they haven't had that.”

Schock said he wants to follow through on things he's helped to start like the riverfront redevelopment and location of Artspace in downtown.