Judson University will host the February “Live Chat” with Mayor David Kaptain on Tuesday, February 21 at 7:00 p.m. in Room 221 of the Harm A. Weber Academic Center. Residents can attend in person, or log on from home to ask questions and follow the discussion by going to the city website www.cityofelgin.org. A link will be prominently displayed on the home page.
The main focus of the discussion will be changes made in the 2012 budget and city policies that will affect utilities, including discussion about the upcoming referendum regarding electrical ag-gregation.
The city of Elgin is joining the many Illinois communities pursuing electrical aggregation. This initiative allows the city to negotiate, on behalf of its citizens, a lower electrical rate. Illinois communities have typically seen a 20% reduction in rates. Aggregation also gives Elgin the op-tion of purchasing a percentage of its energy from renewable sources. Should the city choose a renewable option it would become one of the largest renewable energy consumers in the state. Moving forward with aggregation requires the passage of a referendum, and has been placed on the March 21, 2012 ballot.
“Judson University is pleased to host the Mayor’s Live Chat in the Harm A. Weber Academic Center, which is a Gold LEED building that offers many cost savings and sustainability features for the university,” said Mary Dulabaum, director of Marketing and Communications for Judson. “Hosting these types of discussions on campus allows our business and architecture students the ability to participate and see firsthand how municipalities are looking for ways to economize and be as energy-efficient as possible.”
Colby Basham, Public Works Superintendent and Judson University Professor Dr. Curtis Sartor, Dean of the School of Art, Design and Architecture will join the Mayor for the on-line discussion. Residents can also ask questions about other concerns and ideas they have about the com-munity.
The purpose of the live chat series is to give the mayor and other community leaders the oppor-tunity to hear directly from residents on issues, ideas and concerns they would like to share with their city government. The events also give elected officials the opportunity to clarify and explain how and why they have made certain policy decisions. These sessions are intended to provide a forum to discuss these important policy issues that will shape the future of our community.
The mayor will also continue to host Community Conversations with small groups of individuals, businesses or organizations to discuss issues of more specific interest and concern. The next Community Conversation will take place on Thursday, February 27 at 7:00 p.m. in the Waterford subdivision, 599 Waterford Road.
Residents can check out the complete schedule of Mayor’s Listening Sessions and live web-chats at the city’s website www.cityofelgin.org/mayorkaptain, where they can also participate in an on-line survey. More meetings will be announced as they are scheduled. Any group interested in scheduling a Community Conversation please contact the Office of Neighborhood Engagement at 847-931-5667 or email murphy_c@cityofelgin.org.