Name: Carol J Rauschenberger
Position for which you are a candidate: Elgin City Council
Why are you seeking this position?
It has been an honor to serve the citizens of Elgin and I would ask for their vote to let me serve another term. I am working on several important initiatives that I would like to see through to fruition including a comprehensive strategy for our homeless community and a Sustainability Action Plan with the Sustainability Commission. Additionally, I would like to continue working with the Police Chief on several department initiatives, and finally, to support our community during this pandemic. My primary motivation for seeking this position on City Council is to continue to make Elgin a safe, healthy, and compassionate community where all citizens are happy to live and raise families.
What experience and background do you have which qualifies you for this position?
Besides currently serving on the Elgin City Council, I served one term as an Elgin Township Trustee. I currently serve on various boards and commissions including the Sustainability Commission, the Home Commission, and as a board member for Elgin Visitor and Convention Bureau. I previously served on the DNA Economic Committee. I was the founder of the Elgin area Student STEM Expo, (now run by U-46) and have served as a judge for 7 years. When I lived in Michigan, I was elected to the Chelsea, Michigan Village Board and co-founder of their annual MLK Day event. I have a Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of Illinois and an MBA from the American Graduate School of International Management (currently part of Arizona State University). I have over twenty years of business experience, primarily in international marketing for the telecommunications and healthcare industries. I was raised in Elgin, but have lived in various parts of the country and in Europe and Asia. I am currently employed by U-46 as an Occupational Therapist. I am a working mother and help support my husband’s small business.
What will be your highest priorities if elected?
My first priority if elected is to make sure that Elgin maintains the highest level of public services to our citizens at a reasonable cost. That includes police and fire as well as water, parks, and recreation, waste disposal, and infrastructure. At this time, my next priority is try to minimize the effect of the Covid pandemic on citizens and businesses in Elgin through advocacy at all levels of government. My next priority, as the council liaison to the Sustainability Commission, is to create an updated Sustainability Action plan for Elgin. Elgin is in the process of hiring a Sustainability staff person and pursuing an energy audit giving us a baseline for future energy usage. The objective of the action plan is to create an environmentally-friendly city that consumes fewer resources and ultimately saves taxpayer money. Thoughtful planning now will help Elgin be resilient and meet future challenges. Another priority is to complete a strategic plan to support the homeless or ‘houseless’ in Elgin. The planning is underway. I want to continue to facilitate the role of comprehensive care of our homeless to a competent partner agency and thus relieve the city and police staff. Finally, the unfortunate events of 2020 brought thoughtful examination of policing practices in this country and around the world. I worked with citizens and council members to start this examination with our Police Chief. I support the formation of a Community Task Force to continue this work.
Campaign Policy
Elections and voting are core concerns for the League of Women Voters. Year in and year out, Leagues are committed to providing fact-based information about issues and the positions candidates take on those issues to help voters make their own decisions and participate in the process.
The League of Women Voters never supports or opposes candidates for office or political parties. Any use of the League of Women Voters name in campaign advertising or literature has not been authorized by the League.