Name: Corey Dixon

Position for which you are a candidate: City of Elgin Mayor

 

Why are you seeking this position?

I’m seeking to become the next Mayor of Elgin because I have vision for what our city can be and I have plan on how we can get there together. Elgin is a wonderful community, with a great diverse population and a strong business culture. We’re positioned on the edge of the Chicagoland area with access to the Metra, interstate highways and Pace busing system; all while now being the 6th largest community in the State of Illinois.  We have everything that we need in order to take our community to the next level! As a City Councilman, I have not just focused on current issues or opportunities, but I have always worked on projects of substance that will positively effect our future. I envision Elgin becoming the entertainment destination of the entire Fox Valley, where people do not only live here, but they decide to play and do business here on level the we’re currently not experiencing. In order to get us there we have to correct/support some fundamental areas such as: homelessness/affordable housing, public safety/public health(lead pipes) and downtown development(citywide economic development). In each one of these categories I’ve already been doing the work with community partners and stakeholders, so I know and understand what’s possible when we work together as a community. I’m not seeking to become Mayor to maintain the status quo or change everything that we are as a city; I’m seeking to become Mayor to enhance what we’ve built, market who we are & go after what we want; in order to take us into the future as the city that leads.

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

I’m a proud Elginite who was born and raised here. I graduated from School District U-46 schools, I obtained a Bachelors Degree in Business Management and a Masters Degree in Public Administration(Government Concentration). My wife and I are raising our three girls here, most of my family is here and most of my friends are as well. I love our city! Prior to becoming a City Councilman I served on multiple non-profit boards as Chairman, volunteered my time towards causes that I care about in our community, completed multiple board leadership training programs(most notably through Northwestern University & United Way and SD U-46), served on the Image Advisory and Planning & Zoning Commissions. My professional background and current work is in corporate banking, state and county government. My experience covers effects everything from grassroots efforts to policy and decision making at a macro level. My educational and professional experience has prepared and qualified me, but my love for the people of Elgin and my vision for what we can become as a city is what fuels my desire to become your next Mayor.

What will be your highest priorities if elected?

One of the best ways to judge a community is to gauge how they treat their most vulnerable; therefore my highest priority when elected Mayor will be to ensure the safety of all residents, but especially young people, the disabled and the elderly. It’ll be incumbent upon me as the city’s elected leader to make sure that everyone is cared for and that no one is forgotten. This priority will contain, but not be limited to lead pipe replacement and homelessness, as the health of the public is second to none.

My next priority belongs to citywide economic development. We currently contract with top notch economic development entities such as the Downtown Neighborhood Association, Elgin Area Chamber of Commerce and Explore Elgin Area. While these organization do wonderful work out of their current budgets, in order to make Elgin the entertainment and destination location for people and businesses above all other communities in the Fox Valley, we have to provide them with more funding, so they can expand and have the staff to take what they are already doing to the next level.

When elected Mayor those will be my top priorities along with, Public Safety, Sustainability, Jobs & Education, as well as supporting our arts community, just to name a few.

 

Will you be attending the Candidate Night?  Yes

 

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