Incumbents rule Algonquin village board

Incumbents swept to a resounding victory in the race for Algonquin village board.

Debby Sosine, John Spella and Jim Steigert were elected to the three 4-year seats.

In addition to calling for fiscal restraint, the incumbents rejected the challenger’s assertions that the village has paid too much attention to economic development on the west side of town — to the detriment of the east side.

Sosine and Steigert say the west side, largely Randall Road, attracts developers who see opportunities along the busy north-south corridor without financial incentives.

“We’re doing things to prepare so when the economy turns around we will be prepared for it,” Sosine said. “The village is in very good shape and the whole board works together very well. We have done a very good job to get the village where it is today, and residents are very happy with it.”

The village has also worked to lure more businesses to the east side, including two grocery stores. The village’s five-year road plan also includes a number of road improvement projects on the east side of the village, incumbents said.

The challengers in the race said some of the village’s ordinances, such as those regulating property maintenance and building materials, are too restrictive.

All the candidates agreed that traffic along the village’s east side needs to be alleviated, although any future construction projects would hinge on the availability of state and federal funds.