FAQs • Elgin • CivicEngage

What is a core value?

The City of Elgin's core values influence and guide decisions made by City staff in providing excellent public services. While each of the core values can be distinctly defined, they work together to provide a unified set of principles that serve as an undercurrent in all operations, policy, and programs.

Our four core values are:

Collaboration

Innovation

Diversity and Inclusion

Stewardship

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Strategic Plan

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1. Why do we have a Strategic Plan?: Strategic Plans are integral components of organizations wishing to align their policy decisions and operations to achieve a common vision. The City of Elgin created a new version of a strategic plan, a refined strategic plan called the "Strategic Principles and Priorities", which will serve as a guide for the City and community as they continue work toward realizing Elgin's potential as "The City in the Suburbs." The Elgin City Council formally adopted the 2018-2022 Strategic Principles and Priorities on December 20, 2017.

2. What is a core value?

Our four core values are:

Collaboration

Innovation

Diversity and Inclusion

Stewardship

3. What are the defined goals?

The three defined goals under the 2018-2022 Strategic Principles and Priorities are:

City of Choice

Elgin will be known as a top city for people to live, create opportunities, grow their families and businesses and enjoy visiting year-round.

Safe and Healthy Community

Elgin will provide a clean, healthy community where people are safe and enjoy access to amenities that support a high quality of life.

High Performing, Financially Stable Government

Elgin will deliver high quality City services with the greatest value for its residents and businesses.

4. What is an objective?: Objectives are the specific outcomes that we would like to achieve, related to each defined goal.

5. How were the 2018-2022 Strategic Principles and Priorities created?: The development of the 2018-2022 Strategic Principles and Priorities considers the strengths of "The Road Map to the Future," Elgin's previous strategic plan, as well as key ideas from other City planning documents such as budget, financial, and comprehensive plans. Significant input from City Council, City staff, and community members helped shape this document. The Strategic Plan Advisory Commission also played a key role in the development of this document. They led a series of Community Input Sessions in August 2017 to discuss Elgin's strengths, challenges and vision for the future. A community survey was also conducted in 2017 and the results were also used to create a new, refined strategic plan.

6. When will the Strategic Principles and Priorities be implemented?: City Council adopted the Strategic Principles and Priorities on December 20, 2017. The Strategic Principles and Priorities have already become part of the organization and will continue to be implemented. The City is determined to make significant, measurable improvements in each priority area, and share those points of pride with the community to help champion Elgin's story.