Elgin building could be named after former councilman

The Housing Authority of Elgin is considering naming a planned six-story building after longtime board member and former Elgin councilman Bob Gilliam.

Damon Duncan, CEO of the Housing Authority of Elgin, said the board still needs to approve the naming, which was mentioned in passing during a board meeting earlier this week.

“We're considering doing that in honor of Bob Gilliam's service, but it's not official yet,” Duncan said. “He's been behind us from day one, he supported us, he had faith in us, and because of that, we are extremely grateful.”

The nearly $25 million project consists of rehabbing Central Park Towers, an 11-story, 150-unit building at 120 S. State St., and building a six-story building next door, where the HAE owns a vacant building that will be demolished.

Gilliam served on the HAE board for more than 30 years. He was the first councilman appointed by the mayor of Elgin to serve on the board, he said. The mayor also appoints the other board members.

The public housing development has improved tremendously from the 1970s, when it used to elicit frequent complaints about crime and drug sales, Gilliam said. Now, it's a good place to live for seniors who need affordable housing, he said.

“I think (the new building) could really be an asset to the neighborhood and the community,” he said.

Councilman John Steffen is the city council's current representative on the board. “(Gilliam) was a board member for a long time, I think he deserves to be recognized,” Steffen said.

The board voted this week to submit the project's proposed architectural renderings to the Elgin planning and zoning commission. The Elgin City Council will have to give final approval.

Duncan declined to give the renderings to the Daily Herald.

“We want the zoning board and the residents to have an opportunity to see them first,” he said, adding he plans to organize a residents' meeting, possibly sometime next week.