Name: Diana Alfaro Position for which you are a candidate: Elgin City Council   Why are you seeking this position? I am running to increase representation and diversify skillsets on City Council. I completed a Latino/x leadership training about 2 years ago and a comment said to me has really stayed with me, “sometimes you have to take an opportunity because life has given you the privileges, skills, and opportunities to put you there. You take the opportunity to push the door further open for those after you.” I want to push that door further open for Latinos/as/x and [...]

  Name: Kathleen Kate Thommes Position for which you are a candidate: School District U-46 Board   Why are you seeking this position? I am running for re-election to the U-46 Board of Education because first and foremost, I am an educator.  My undergraduate degree is in Education and my very first teaching job was in U-46, at Eastview, in 1998.  There I learned the craft of teaching and the important role U-46 plays in our communities. Since then, I went on to have three children (all of whom attend or are attending U-46 schools), earn two Master's Degrees (MAT [...]

  Name: Enoch Essendrop Position for which you are a candidate: Gail Borden Library Board   Why are you seeking this position? My family loves the library. We utilize it religiously. We have first-class facilities and faculty at the Gail Borden Library, and I would like to ensure that it continues to be so for future generations. What experience and background do you have which qualifies you for this position? I am twenty-five years old, married with three children and awaiting the birth of our baby girl in July. I own a beautiful little home on the northeast side surrounded [...]

  Name: Karin Jones Position for which you are a candidate: Elgin City Council   Why are you seeking this position? I think community apathy and lack of engagement are creating a false sense of priorities among some current council members. Some current council members send messages to our community that create trust issues and divisiveness. This leadership style is detrimental to our community, image, and progress.  The reality is that lacking the ability to gather consensus and collaborate productively will continue to hold Elgin back. As a Council member, I aspire always to work to improve, collaborate & enhance [...]