Jerri McCue: Candidate profile
Bio
Name: Jerri McCue
City: Elgin, IL
Office sought: Elgin City Council (2-year seat)
Age: 64
Family: Widowed. I have four grown children and five grandchildren. Two canine family members Pete and Ozzie
Occupation: Registered nurse with over 22 years experience, 11 in the emergency room and currently as a school nurse in U-46.
Education: AAS in Nursing from Kishwaukee College
Civic involvement: Planning and Zoning Commissioner since 2015, Elgin Township Committee on Seniors- committee member, Former Downtown Neighborhood Association Board Member- Treasurer, Southwest Neighborhood Association- community member, Izaak Walton League Member, Participated in the Comprehensive Planning Process
Previous elected offices held: none
Incumbent? No.
Website: jerrimccue.com
Facebook: jerrimccueforelgincitycouncil
Issue Questions
What are the most important issues facing your community and how do you intend to address them?
Providing core services that the citizens of Elgin need to maintain a good quality of life and keep this city functioning. To finance services we need by attracting a diverse tax base by increasing and maintaining revenue streams and continually marketing Elgin as a great place to be an entrepreneur, property owner and visitor. Providing anyone interested in investing in Elgin the customer service they need to accomplish that. Review codes and ordinances that inhibit growth.
What makes you the best candidate for the job?
I have been a Planning and Zoning Commissioner since 2015 which has given me experience in reviewing and making decision on multiple issues. Working for what is in the best interest of all in Elgin. I have experience in developing a commercial project and creating two tax generating venues for small businesses in downtown at 176 East Chicago, home to Blue Box Cafe and Salon Couture. I worked to retire the SS2 a special tax levied on the downtown property owners that was established in the 70s to build a parking deck. It should have been retired after the bonds were satisfied. but was overlooked. I am active in the community always striving to enhance Elgin. While the other candidates in my race will be telling the citizens what they want to do, I will share them what I am doing and have done.
Describe your leadership style and explain how you think that will be effective in producing actions and decisions with your village board or city council.
Through my work in health care I have been able to develop an interdisciplinary approach to leadership. It has provided me with the ability to think across boundaries and include many schools of thought in process improvement. The more we empower ourselves and others the more we will accomplish.
How would you describe the condition of your community's budget, and what are the most important specific actions the town should take to assure providing the level of services people want?
To ensure fiscal responsibility we need to review the existing tax and fee structure to determine what may be adjusted if need be without impacting core services - living within our means. I also want to make sure that opportunities are being realized by ongoing recruitment of new businesses and that we are being open to thinking outside the box when an opportunity presents itself. We had a prospective developer come before the P & Z early on in my term that was not being recommended for approval by staff. I questioned that recommendation and after some discussion of the commission we tabled the petition so that further work could be done to resolve issues. Today the 3$ car wash stands at the corner of McClean and Lillian generating tax dollars into our city. It has been a great addition to that corner. I also believe we need to maintain our AAA bond rating.
What's one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?
Development of a small business revolving low interest loan program to kick start business growth. Mental health issues and how we address them in our community.