Ed Schock: Candidate Profile

Note: Answers provided have not been edited for grammar, misspellings or typos. In some instances, candidate claims that could not be immediately verified have been omitted. Jump to:BioKey IssuesQA Bio City: ElginWebsite: http://Facebook: Ed Schock For MayorOffice sought: Elgin MayorAge: 64Family: Married, 3 daughtersOccupation: Retired; formerly teacher and principal, School District u46Education: BA, Bradley University, Political ScienceMA, Roosevelt University, Educational Administration and SupervisionCivic involvement: Elgin City Zoning Commission Elgin City Planning CommissionPresident, Neighborhood Housing ServicesExecutive Committee, Metropolitan Mayors CaucusFounding President, Metro West Council of GovernmentElected offices held: Elgin City Councilman Mayor, City of ElginHave you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: NoCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 The number one issue facing Elgin is the impact the recession has had on our citizens, our neighborhoods, and our city in general. Unemployment, foreclosures, and reduced city revenues have taken a toll, but progress continues to be made in all areas of city life. Crime is at a twenty year low, with serious gang crime down 60% in the last 12 years. Economic development is robust, with 9 million square feet of new industrial commercial construction since 2003, resulting in 10,421 new jobs in Elgin. Median household income has risen by $16,490 since 2003, and 4776 new homes have been built in that same period.Clearly much has been accomplished, but new challenges continue to confront us.Key Issue 2 Workforce development is critical to Elgin's future. In partnership with the Illinois Department of Employment Security, United Way, the Chamber of Commerce, ECC, u46, and private businesses, the City is committed to improving the skills and level of education of students and the unemployed to better prepare them for the workplace. We have begun a 1,000 Worker Initiative which provides skills testing and continuing education to any unemployed Elginite. In my visits to local companies, it is clear that because of the recession many companies are adding technology and automation to increase their competitiveness. The new jobs being created require a higher level of skills. Matching the needs of those companies to the skills of our workforce is key to putting people in good jobs and attracting new business to Elgin.Key Issue 3 A third challenge is housing. Foreclosures are not only devastating to individuals and families, but also our neighborhoods. Vacant homes, if not properly maintained, are a blight on the neighborhood. That is why I proposed and the council passed a program to inspect foreclosed homes to make sure they are properly maintained while they await new ownershipAlso, with neighborhood input, the city has purchased foreclosed homes that have the potential to cause the most damage to a neighborhood because of their poor condition. These homes are being completely renovated and will be resold to qualified buyers. The proceeds from the sale will be used to purchase and rehab additional homes.Questions Answers What prompted you to run for this office? What makes you the best candidate for the job?I am running for reelection because I am passionate about the city of Elgin and optimistic about its future. Much progress has been made during my tenure as mayor, but opportunities and challenges remain.What sets my opponent and me apart is leadership. Progress is the product of leadership. I have demonstrated repeatedly the ability to listen to the concerns of all constituencies and balance the needs of neighborhoods, businesses, and individual residents with the overall needs of the entire city. Meeting our goals requires many hands and these hands must be pushing in the same direction. That requires leadership.How will you deal with declining revenue, particularly in the riverboat fund?The city has taken significant steps to address our declining revenues in the general fund by reducing city expenditures by 6% in 2010, including the elimination of 80 positions in 2009-2010. Unlike many communities we did not raise existing taxes, nor did we add new taxes. This allowed us to maintain our AA+ bond rating.Declines in riverboat revenue have been disappointing, but not disastrous because the city only spends riverboat money on non-recurring expenditures. We have adjusted by delaying some projects and seeking grants to fund others.How well has the city addressed the issue of illegal immigration? Has it done what's appropriate or is there more to do? Please offer specifics.The City recognizes that the enforcement of immigration laws is primarily under the jurisdiction of the Federal government with local communities having only an incidental supporting role. The City of Elgin has taken a responsible and legal approach to combat illegal immigration.Specifically, the Elgin Police Department conducts immigration screening for all foreign arrestees by utilizing Immigration Customs Enforcement Agency's (ICE) IAQ system. In the past three years, 4,236 individuals have been screened and 709 were found to be in the country illegally. Pursuant to ICE guidelines, the city notifies ICE to determine which individuals ICE wants detained.A gang unit police officer reviews all arrest records to identify those charged with offenses ICE has identified would qualify for deportation.The City is one of the few communities ICE has selected to participate in the Document and Fraud Task Force and the ICE Gang Task Force.The City uses ICE's E-verify system to screen all applicants for city employment. City contracts include provisions regarding city contractors not hiring illegal immigrants. The city conducts random audits on contractors to determine compliance.Most recently the city partnered with the Kane County States Attorney to enjoin gang members from congregating, meeting, or communicating with one another. Penalties include up to a year of jail time. Elgin is the only Kane County community using this very effective enforcement tool.Where, if anywhere, could the current budget be trimmed, and conversely, are there areas the budget does not give enough money to? Does the city need to reprioritize the funds it puts toward municipal projects? Non-profits?The current budget is lean. The previous cuts were well thought out and targeted, but nonetheless painful. One way we are dealing with fewer personnel is the use of technology to increase the effectiveness of our remaining workforce. The decline in riverboat money has impacted both capital projects and non-profits. I do not see that changing in the foreseeable future, so, as previously stated, both the city and non-profits area aggressively seeking grants to replace some of the lost funding. The long term solution is to continue aggressive economic development efforts to grow our tax base and increase community wealth.What's one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?It has been my experience that good ideas for our city come about when people come together to talk, brainstorm, and problem-solve. Elgin has a citizenry dedicated to improving their city; many of our greatest accomplishments over the last twelve years have come out of ideas proposed by residents. When I have an idea, I discuss it with residents, councilpersons, and city staff. The original idea is always improved with involvement from other people. I don't keep my ideas secret!