Erik Bosque Pena: 2025 candidate for Elgin City Council

Bio

Office Sought: Elgin City Council (Vote for 4)

City: Elgin

Age: 43

Occupation: Union Laborer

Previous offices held: None

What is the most serious issue your community will face in the coming years and how should the city council respond to it?

One serious issue may be the possible removal of the Kimball Street Dam once the U.S. Army Corps comes back with its revised recommendations. The long-term solution to the residents of tent city.

With the amount of lead line services still needing replacement, Elgin may need to look at different avenues to find more money for the Lead Pipe Replacement Program so the city doesn’t have to sell bonds and go into a deficit.

How would you describe the state of your community's finances? What should be the top priorities for spending during the next few years? Are there areas of spending that need to be curtailed?

The city has strong finances from my understanding after reviewing the material available. Revenue streams seem to be holding strong as of the 2024 budget. The city also has a diverse portfolio of taxing streams. It doesn’t need to lean heavy on one or the other.

What do you see as the most important infrastructure project the community must address? Why and how should it be paid for? Conversely, during these uncertain economic times, what project(s) can be put on the back burner?

Elgin should continue to steadily replace the lead line services to ensure that all of Elgin has safe water to consume not just for today but for the future generations to come.

The city hasn’t really spent any money on projects that are not needed as far as I’m aware

Elgin is an old town and most of all its money is going to replacing aging infrastructure which is what every city with old infrastructure needs to be focused on.

Describe your experience working in a group setting to determine policy. What is your style in such a setting to reach an agreement and manage local government? Explain how you think that will be effective in producing effective actions and decisions with your city council.

Although I have never held a government position, I’ve held past leadership roles in one of the oldest fraternal organizations that has helped shape Elgin’s history since the early 1800s.

I am also the current president and a founding member at Friends of Masons, a 501(c)3 in Elgin directing volunteers in charitable events.

At work I hold a leadership position with expertise in underground infrastructure successfully leading a group of people to achieve one common goal, finish the job and do it safely so everyone gets to go home to their families. I do this by leading by example.

What makes you the best candidate for the job?

Being blue collar all my life and being a second generation union laborer, I am familiar with the unique conversations hardworking families have at the dinner table. I intend on bringing their voices to the forefront when it comes to real issues.

I am also a small-business owner and understand what wasteful spending can do to stunt the growth of any business and would expect the same fiscal responsibility from our city.

What’s one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?

I would like to introduce the “Smart City” concept. Similar to a smart home where every aspect can be more efficient. I think by using AI, Elgin can dramatically increase productivity and efficiency in everyday operations which could lead to a healthy ROI long term. A bit of research has to be done to implement this system to see what we can use and what we can’t because every city is unique in its necessities.