Elgin will keep at-large council system

Elgin voters for now will continue to elect their representatives to the city council at large, and not in a ward system.

A measure to put an advisory referendum question on the April ballot asking voters about a mixed electoral system, which would have a combination of council members elected at large and in districts, failed by a 4-3 vote Wednesday at a city council meeting.

Councilman Dave Kaptain, who is running against Mayor Ed Schock for the city's top spot next April, proposed putting the question to voters after hearing from residents at community picnics who were in favor of a ward system.

The nonbinding referendum would have gotten “the conversation started,” Kaptain said.

But Councilman Robert Gilliam, the council's longest-serving member at 38 years, noted two previous attempts to establish a ward system failed by a 3-to-1 ratio at the polls. He said wards would create “little fiefdoms.”

“If I make a decision, I'm responsible to 100,000 people. In a ward system, they can't do anything to me. It's not what's best for the city, it's what's best for the ward,” Gilliam said.

He also said previous efforts to set up wards have been grass-roots driven, and no one has talked to him about the idea recently.

Councilman Richard Dunne, who lives on Elgin's west side, said residents in a newer subdivision near him have told him they'd like a representative on the council. Kaptain said some people would like to have someone to call if they have problems.

Schock said the council-manager form of government has worked in Elgin since it was adopted in 1954, and he didn't see a need to change it now. He said such a decision shouldn't be made hastily before a rigorous debate is held.

“If the city council puts it on the ballot, it's giving the impression that's what the city wants,” Schock said.

Kaptain said an advisory referendum would be the “least intrusive” way to bring about the question.

Elgin will likely add two seats to the city council in the 2013 election after census results showing an increase in population are certified next year.

Had voters supported the advisory measure in the spring 2011 election, a binding referendum could have been placed on the 2013 ballot, with the mixed system set up for the 2015 election.

Schock, Gilliam and Councilmen John Prigge and Mike Warren voted against the measure with Kaptain, Richard Dunne and John Steffen voting for it.