John Steffen: 2023 candidate for Elgin City Council
Bio
Town where you live: Elgin
Age on Election Day: 59
Occupation: Attorney
Previous offices held: 4 terms as an Elgin City Council member
Q&A
Q: What is the most serious issue your community will face in the coming years and how should the city council or village board respond to it?
A: The one that continues to stay below the surface but could radically change our City is the increased freight train traffic through the center of town proposed as part of the railroad merger that will create a single line between Canada, through the United States (using our Metra line in Elgin) to Mexico. The City will be divided, causing stress on the delivery of City services (including EMT and Fire response), isolate the east and west sides from each other and increase the risk of an environmental disaster.
Q: How would you describe the state of your community's finances?
A: Healthy but with some concerns in the longer term for ongoing large expenses like sewer separation and lead water line replacement.
Q: What should be the three top priorities for spending in your community during the next four years?
A: Beyond the ongoing expenses related to the two projects in the last answer, I want to complete the Parks & Recreation needs study and the update to our Sustainability Plan and implement the projects and needs identified in those studies. We also need to fill out our Communications Department and HR Department.
Q: Are there areas of spending that need to be curtailed? If so, what are they?
A: We (staff) continue to spend less than what is budgeted for the Council and for supplies and materials, and we should continue that.
Q: 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?
A: Replacing the City's lead water lines from our water system into approximately 13,000 properties that likely have them. We have allocated ARPA and COVID relief funds through 2024 and will be seeking state and federal grant monies to continue that replacement project, and the plan is to complete that in 10 years and not take the full time granted by IEPA for completion.
Q: Describe your experience working in a group setting to determine policy. What is your style in such a setting to reach agreement and manage local government? Explain how you think that will be effective in producing effective actions and decisions with your village board or city council.
A: I have served as an officer and board member in many organizations, including DNA (co-founded in 1998), Kiwanis, Elgin Community Bikes, Housing Authority, HOME Commission, Elgin River Rats HS Rugby Club, GPA, Elgin Classic Bike Race. The experience provided through those organizations all involved the need to listen to all members, reach consensus and develop and implement a work plan. All of this directly applies to the work as a City Council Member
Q: What makes you the best candidate for the job?
A: I have a wealth of experience and knowledge about Elgin and its needs and issues and bring a habit of research and reading on topics along with an ability to listen to and absorb differing viewpoints and perspectives. Being able to work with all types of people another skill I have and needed on a diverse board like City Council.
Q: What's one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?
A: Creating a Youth Council using the Youth Representatives on the City's major Boards and Commissions along with some additional at-large youth with a small budget to learn what is takes to identify an issue or issues, research and develop alternatives to address that issue, and decide how or even whether to spend money to tackle that issue.