Endorsements: Good, Dixon, Rauschenberger and Ortiz for Elgin City Council
The Elgin City Council election always brings out an array of enthusiastic, talented and well-meaning candidates. This year's field of 11 is no exception.
But only four will be elected.
Dustin Good, who we endorsed two years ago, narrowly lost that race, but he is definitely worth another look. Good has expanded his already prodigious resume with the city since his last run for office.
The local bartender is now a member of the Elgin Police Community Advisory Board and the COVID-19 Downtown Business Adaptation Grant committee. He continues his role as a member of the Downtown Neighborhood Association board.
Good has been associated with city improvement efforts, having started as Elgin Community College Student Trustee a decade ago.
He has a strong analytical mind and immerses himself in issues. He advocates for using tech to unite people and provide a strong environment for prospective high-tech businesses. At the same time, he's concerned for the welfare of the houseless population of Elgin.
Like Good, incumbent Corey Dixon has considerable experience in volunteer roles on boards and city commissions. He's been a member of the planning and zoning commission, the image advisory commission, the Greater Elgin Family Center board, Food for Greater Elgin and Alignment Collaborative for Education. He founded the city's back to school barbecue bash, the community health fair and the Making Space art project.
He's an important Black voice on the council, too.
Like Good, he advocates for an investment in fiber optic cables citywide to position Elgin for growth in the tech sector.
Council member Carol Rauschenberger ran for mayor two years ago but lost to longtime incumbent David Kaptain. She is completing her term and running to keep her council seat.
Rauschenberger is an occupational therapist with Elgin Area School District U-46.
She is a proponent of adding higher density housing and further commercial development to the downtown area, which is well served already with train access and bike trails.
Anthony Ortiz ran for council two years ago and lost, but he, too, is worth another look.
He is a member of the police and fire commission and as a former combat Marine, focuses on the needs of veterans in the community.
With council member Baldemar Lopez not running for reelection, the Latinx community is in danger of becoming underrepresented on the council.
We love Steve Thoren's unbridled enthusiasm for Elgin, but there are only four slots to fill.
Also running are Richard Johnson, Jodi Perkins, Jerri McCue, Rafael Garcia Jr., Karin Jones and Marcus Banner.
Good, Dixon, Rauschenberger and Ortiz are endorsed.