Name: Deborah Allan

Position for which you are a candidate: Kane County Board, District 17

 

Why are you seeking this position?

I think government serves its constituents best when it is generous rather than punitive (alternative Courts and the stormwater and beekeeping ordinances, for example), it is transparent and hard-working (as in Open Gov bookkeeping and the committee structure for vetting legislation and County processes), and it is thoughtful and innovative (the Sheriff’s/State’s Attorney/County Clerk offices’ initiatives, IT/Development/Water Resources & Environment Departments, for example).

I have learned that being part of the work of such government is very rewarding and I would like to continue leading Kane County in these best practices directions.

 

What experience and background do you have which qualifies you for this position?

My District has allowed me to be its representative for 20 years, and my experience with processes and patterns helps me watch over the spending of my neighbors’ taxes, protect their elections and transportation options, and encourage new technologies which can enhance their opportunities, such as the building of a County fiber backbone.

My husband was a 2nd-career attorney who wanted his own office, so I did the things he didn’t do to manage our business for just over 30 years.  Serving clients, handling finances, and helping keep a family’s balance are good skills to bring to public service.  When we moved to Elgin in 1985, it was our joy to become part of an old City neighborhood and participate in the City’s goings-on, so I learned how government can make decisions that improve our lives and support our neighborhoods.

Not everyone is a good fit for the County Board, but this service has been very meaningful for me.  I have demonstrated my commitment to the meeting schedule for both the County and Forest Preserve committees, because that is where the work is done.  Doing that work with my neighbors’ concerns in mind makes me a bridge between them and their government, and sharing their interests with those of other Board members means providing services which build up many Kane County communities, urban and rural.  Our connectivity improves the safety, confidence, and well-being of all of us, and my goal is always to provide continuity and security for my constituents, and make their lives a little easier and happier.

 

What will be your highest priorities if elected?

The County must evaluate staffing questions involving salary parity among similar jobs, the loss of qualified people to other public/private entities, and our inability to fill essential positions.  Setting policy and building yearly budgets are the County Board’s primary responsibilities, so having a complete staff and paying them properly in order to have the County operate as efficiently and successfully as possible is an immediate priority.  We are very good at being penurious; we also need to be smart and thoughtful and candid with our staff, so they can do their best work for all of us.

Kane County maintains 37 buildings of various ages.  Is it wiser to spend a great deal of money to bring as many uses as possible into one new building, or to keep using the current buildings in which we have already made significant investment?  It is a priority to gather the data necessary to answer this question.

We currently depend on Elgin Riverboat Casino funds to pay for certain County operations.  This is a poor use of funds that are meant to be used for capital  projects improving the environment, education, and economic development.  It is a priority to identify the programs we wish to keep (operations), pay for them in our operating budget, and use the manna-from-heaven monies from the Casino for worthy projects both out in our communities and also under the County government umbrella, to see how far we can stretch those funds.

Whether to sell the prime real estate of the 40-acre old jail site or keep it for public use is a priority, because once sold, it’s gone.

 

 

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