Mayoral candidates discuss Elgin's future

Elgin mayoral candidates discussed the future of Elgin with local business leaders at a forum Tuesday sponsored by the Elgin Area Chamber of Commerce. Incumbent Ed Schock split speaking time with Councilman David Kaptain in matters of economic development, budget constraints and revenue possibilities.

Schock has been mayor since 1999, serving on the council for six years before that. He ran unopposed in the last election, a circumstance that factored into Kaptain's candidacy. Kaptain told chamber members Tuesday the residents of Elgin deserve a choice. Whether he ultimately wins or not, Kaptain's name on the ballot will give them one.

During the course of the hourlong forum, responding to budget issues factored into a variety of questions.

Kaptain said of paramount importance is the need to diversify the revenue stream of the city. He said property taxes are too great a percentage of total revenue and recommended a reduction in property taxes in favor of higher utility taxes to make up the difference.

“Initially, the plan would be to make sure everybody's taxes overall stay the same,” Kaptain said.

The city would then be insulated from changes to property taxes decided by Kane County. This year the city will collect $2.1 million less in property taxes because it held the tax rate constant.

Schock said he did not foresee changing the property tax or adding any new taxes. His idea for a new revenue stream would be to charge the people already costing the city.

“I would look at more things that punish bad behavior and reward good behavior,” Schock said.

That would include a new program that would require people convicted of drug crimes to reimburse the city for its emergency response expenses, like the ambulance needed to assist people in drug-related crashes or the overtime pay for officers involved. A bill about this is currently being discussed in the Illinois House.

In terms of the city's relation to the surrounding area, Kaptain seemed to favor a focus on Elgin's immediate neighbors while Schock looked to the wider region spreading across the metropolitan area.

Schock said he was the first suburban mayor to endorse the O'Hare expansion because of its importance to bringing economic development potential to the city. He mentioned his involvement with the Metropolitan Mayor's Caucus as a chance to approach regional issues.

“Elgin's success depends on a growing, prospering Chicago area,” Schock said.

Kaptain said those regional connections are important, but said the city must also focus on its neighbors — Hanover Township, for example. Coordinating with surrounding communities will give Elgin the chance to avoid duplicating efforts, thereby saving money.

“We will have to look and search for partnerships and economics of proximity,” Kaptain said.

Both candidates will appear at multiple forums leading up to the April 5 election as other community organizations join the chamber in sponsoring issue-based debates before residents are asked to vote.