Robert Gilliam: City Council Candidate
The questionnaire below was completed by city council candidate Robert Gilliam. Mr. Gilliam will be a candidate in the city council election on April 9th.
Name:
Robert Gilliam
Seat for which you are running:
4 year city council
Can you tell us a bit about your background, both personally and professionally?
I’ve been married to my wife, Marianne, for 27 years. I am a life long resident of Elgin. My two children and grandson attended U-46 schools. I worked for School District U-46 for 34 years.
Besides being on the Elgin City Council, I am also currently a member of the Elgin Housing Authority Board and Kane County Home Commission. In the past I have served on the Elgin Convention Visitors Bureau, the Elgin Symphony Board, and Provena St. Joseph Hospital Board.
Why are you running for Elgin City Council?
I have dedicated my life to this community and I feel there is still much to be accomplished even more that I can contribute. Elgin has improved dramatically over the past decade and we must maintain this momentum in the face of challenging economic circumstances. Doing this will require focused and experienced leadership.
What do you view as the major issues facing Elgin in the next few years?
Keeping our neighborhoods safe, creating jobs,maintaining the city’s infrastructure, and revitalization of downtown.
Are you generally in agreement with decisions the city council has made in the past few years? Please describe any measures with which you particularly agreed or disagreed.
Yes. My colleagues and I on the city council bring varying viewpoints and backgrounds to every policy we face. While there is no such thing as a perfect decision, I feel that the decisions that we have made consistently do the most good for the most people.
If elected, what do you expect to accomplish during your time on the council?
Economic development and job creation. I will continue to stress economic development activities that create jobs for Elgin citizens now and in the future.
Public safety. I will continue to ensure that the city’s public safety services continue to function at the highest level.
Neighborhoods. Your home is your biggest investment. I will continue to provide leadership in this area through code enforcement and infrastructure improvements.
From a crowded field of candidates, why should voters choose you to represent them on the city council?
I offer a unique combination of proven experience and enthusiasm for tackling the tough challenges that lie ahead.
What’s the best way for voters to find out more about your campaign?
BobGilliam.com and Facebook
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I hear the weather in Arizona has been very cold this winter is that true?
He wouldn’t know if he is in Elgin.
These are the weakest answers out of all of the surveys on Elginite. After 40 years, the man has done nothing and will do nothing except rack up more free miles flying home to Arizona if he gets re-elected. The word ‘gall’ fits perfectly here.
He wasn’t very specific, was he?
If unemployment has been part of his signature effort he has failed miserably. Elgin has always had higher unemployment than the region or comparable areas. (Wait for it…the chorus of those who justify it by saying we employ lots of people; they just live somewhere else.)
And I found it interesting that he sits on the ESO board. How can a city councilman do that?
Can someone explain the living in Arizona comments related to Mr. Gilliam that have been alluded to? I know he missed many council meetings due to a sick family member but I haven’t been able to find out anything about Arizona.
If he is living in Arizona, even part-time wouldn’t that preclude him from holding office?
Hello “SIE”. To my understanding, Bob Gilliam has lived in Arizona the majority of the time for many years. This was a behind the scene discussion when he ran in 2009 and in 2005. But there is nothing illegal about it. He is registered to vote here, and no doubt he pays all of his property taxes, water bills etc so it is all above board.
And it is well known that Bob has had long standing health issues, which are his personal affair. But those issues, to my understanding, relate to his desire to live in Arizona, because of its climate.
As I recall, Bob was a basketball star at Elgin High, and then he attended college in Arizona on a basketball scholarship. So quite likely that is where he developed his affinity for Arizona.
With modern communications being what they are, Bob is able to communicate effectively, at least with me. (As a matter of fact, Bob communicates much faster and consistently with me, then does Rich Dunne, who lives right here in Elgin all the time. But that is another issue.)
The big problem with Bob Gilliam living in Arizona has in fact been in his extended absence from the council. If he lived in Elgin, it would not be a great hardship for him to attend council sessions with his wife’s recent and most unfortunate illness. But with his wife being ill, his coming to Elgin for council meetings has clearly been difficult, and simply made it impossible for him to get away for council meetings.
Now, with that said, I have tried to be factual in the reporting of my understanding of Bob’s situation. But please do not take that as an endorsement, as I will not vote for Bob Gilliam.
I will not vote for Bob Gilliam because he sees Elgin government as a means for taking money from EVERYONE, rich AND poor, then redistributing their hard earned money to social service agencies in Elgin, and more importantly, for things that he personally thinks will improve the quality of life in Elgin, like ArtSpace (Artspace had a total cost of $14.5million. And don’t reflexively whine, “Oh, most of that wasn’t Elgin’s money” because that shows you choose to ignore that this project is a prime example of what looks like crony capitalism at work right here in Elgin. That was the driving force behind why we “needed” this mindless facility, when we had empty stores and condos all over downtown that could have been used by artists without any capital outlay by the taxpayers of Elgin or Illinois.) And Bob not only voted for Riverside Drive, a $10million example of what again looks like crony capitalism, but he urgently plead for this as being VITAL for the downtown.
Bob totally ignores the fact that I need my money more than he does, and I should have the greater right to keep my own money to spend in accordance with my NEEDS, instead of him spending my money on his WANTS. And that is true for all the many people of Elgin who are struggling to make ends meet.
Just last year, even though the Elgin portion of my property taxes went down $90, my other fees to Elgin went up $209, thanks in large part to Bob Gilliam’s leading support of our massive tax hikes of 2012. (That resulted in our monthly water bills, the garbage tax, the natural gas tax (I’m typing with my hat and coat on, Bob needs my money more than I do to pay my gas bill….), electric tax, leaf rake out…..)
So again, I will not vote for Bob Gilliam in 2013! Anyone who feels they need their money more than City Hall does, should also vote AGAINST Bob Gilliam. And anyone who is opposed to what looks like crony capitalistic projects such as Artspace and Riverside Drive should also vote against Bob Gilliam. The fact that Bob Gilliam lives in Arizona is a secondary issue. Chuck
Chuck
Looking at Bob’s website, I see that he attended the University of Nevada. Chuck
Gilliam has been arrogant and downright rude to constituents and fellow council members. Anyone who dares criticize his POV is derided or dismissed out of hand.
He’s not even trying to listen any more.
Here’s my two cents:
My views of Councilman Gilliam were initially negative since I saw him as closely aligned with previous Mayor Schock. After the last Mayoral election, I was greatly surprised and pleased after the very first meeting after the election. Gilliam spoke out asking that meeting rules change to allow the public to speak out before the votes. That’s allowed Elgin residents an opportunity to make a real difference in the past couple years. Public speakers didn’t always get what they wanted, but at least they were heard.
Elgin Artspace is now 95% occupied and has already directly led to the opening of a new nearby art gallery. I believe the public-private partnership will be a great success with a positive return on investment for the City. Sometimes you have to spend money to make money.
Social service agencies receive Riverboat money, not your Elgin tax dollars. Elgin also distributes CDBG (Community Development Block Grant) monies from the Federal Government to Social Service agencies. They are not property tax dollars or Elgin taxes. Everyone benefits from these agencies, even if they don’t directly use their services.
I understand why Chuck wants limited government and low taxes. We do have staggeringly HIGH property taxes. I grew up in Madison County, Indiana which has an average property tax bill of $880 versus Kane County’s $5200. I hope Chuck would notice that the majority of the $5200 Kane County bill is U46 and NOT the City of Elgin. U46 routinely passes maximum increases in their levy allowed by law and no one seems to notice or takes action. U46 takes Elgin tax money and re-distributes it to surrounding schools. U46 has terrible performance measures coupled with very high administrative costs ($262000 salary for the Superintendent.
“Elgin Artspace is now 95% occupied”
Why wouldn’t it be when rents start in the $300’s range. Assuming everyone renting there was renting somewhere else previously there must quite a few vacant private rentals around town.
“directly led to the opening of a new nearby art gallery.”
And with the very same evidence ArtSpace is also directly responsible for the beginning of Spring on March 21st!!!
“They are not property tax dollars or Elgin taxes. Everyone benefits from these agencies”
Of course, exactly like how we are all better off no matter how high the tax rates are because government creates jobs, government creates wealth. All we need is more government and oh what paradise on earth we shall have.
“U46 takes Elgin tax money and re-distributes it to surrounding schools. ”
So let’s have much more of it!!!
Hello Todd:
a) It was interesting to note that you said you did not initially like Bob Gilliam. I had always liked him, and still bear him no personal ill will. For me, this is a matter of who is going to take the most taxpayer’s money, so that puts me at odds with Bob from a policy point of view. Though I do plan to write something much more on this closer to the election, as I do want to share some important observations on my dealings with Bob over the last 12 years.
b) Yes, I am painfully aware of where my property tax bill goes. You are correct, U46 takes most of my money. But for whatever reason, I find the Elgin City Council to be of greater appeal. That is from my years as the president of the Near West Neighborhood Association, where everything we did seemed to get engaged with the City.
c) I agree, that the change allowing citizens to comment on issues the same day the council is voting on them is a great improvement. I even went back to double check in my records, and found that the Trib in June 2011 reported on this change, and they reported “Mayor Dave Kaptain applauded Councilman Bob Gilliam for suggesting the “long overdue” changes… (to the rules on bringing issues to the council).
d) Another good improvement to the “recognition of persons present” portion of the council session was Prigge’s suggestion that members of the council be allowed to interact with the citizens speaking during the “RPP”.
Chuck
Interesting… you don’t have picture of the ONLY African-American running for council and only negative comments. Again… The Elginite is racist!!!!!
He’s not the only one who doesn’t have a picture with his profile. The reason is that all pictures were taken at the first forum of the season and Mssrs. Gilliam, Dunne, Armstrong and others were not present.
Interesting… you don’t have picture of the ONLY African-American running for council and only negative comments. Again… The Elginite is racist!!!!! Instead of hiding behind white sheets you hide behind the internet.
If there is no picture how do we know he is African-American?
What does his race have to do with anything? Are you racist, Maury? Evidently since you are the ONLY one making an issue of it!
“only negative comments”
Feel free to provide positive comments. That you don’t/won’t/can’t says PLENTY about you?
“The Elginite is racist!!!!!”
Ah yes, there it is! The baseless hate spewing of the neo-fascist liberal left is NEVER far away.
“Instead of hiding behind white sheets you hide behind the internet.”
Maury, I couldn’t find you in the phone book. Where can we do a face to face to discuss the wonderful attributes of your candidates that you refuse to discuss here? How about the GBPL tomorrow morning at 10am? Pick up bw too assuming one of you might be sober enough to drive!
Chuck Keysor for Elgin Mayor. Don Quixote ride again.
You know Chuck does resemble Don Quixote.
Actually he does look like him but I think Chuck might make a pretty good mayor!
I just came across this post from Bob addressing his living in Arizona.
http://www.bobgilliam.com/the_arizona_issue
My prayers go out to your family but Bob, I am concerned about you too. How are you? I heard you spent 3 weeks in the hospital last year yourself and I noticed you are now walking with a cane. Are you okay?
Now that your family is feeling better will you be available to attend the city council meetings on a regular basis? What kind of time and effort will you be putting forth? Your lack of attendance has been a problem to the citizens.
In the world according to Bob, when you are retired you are always on vacation. When you are always on vacation you can live anywhere you want to and call your far away home a “vacation home” and damn the people of Elgin.
Gilliam gets free hospital insurance and about $10,000 a yrs while he lives 1/2 the yr in Arizona. Gilliam teamed up with ex Mayor Schock for years and let illegals fill the town saying they were a economic benifit to the city. Here’s how that turned out. Elgin schools enrollments 17,0000 almost 12,000 are hispanic, and 12,274 of the 17,00 students are registered as low income. Getting free meals, books, activities even caps and gowns at graduation. Ever wonder why Elgin can’t attract quality retailers. Of Elgin’ 108 thousand residents 62,000 are Hispanic. Thousands are anchor babies children of illegals. 40 yrs of Gilliam is enough don’t you think
Concerned,
Your attack on Mr. Gilliam is blatantly racist. And, of course, you don’t identify yourself which is cowardly.
Danice, I don’t think reporting facts constitutes racism. If you’re offended or hurt by what was reported above, you certainlly came out swinging in the easiest way imaginable and called someone a racist. As your defense of people is admirable, sometimes truthful facts hurt when they hit home.
“Concerned”’s comments are not “truthful facts”. A phrase such as “anchor babies” is racist and offensive. Hiding under the hood of anonymity is cowardly.
Danise, report your racism to U-46 and the state board of ed.
Anyone with a computer can look up the demographic profile of the schools. And the report cards list race/ethnicity, low income and performance data.
Cry racism if you’d like, but don’t discount the data. It’s real.
If you’d like to know which students are here illegally, just request a breakdown of students who did not register with a Social Security number.
The trouble is that your personal democrat narrative is being challenged by people who know better. We refuse to buy your meme.
““Concerned”’s comments are not “truthful facts”.”
Then refute the facts he presented as untruthful. You don’t/won’t/ can’t. Instead you spew your intense hate by calling him baseless derogatory names. Standard typical neo-liberal fascism.
” A phrase such as “anchor babies” is racist and offensive. ”
It is neither racist nor offensive. You saying it is doesn’t make it so. Standard typical neo-liberal fascism.
Dear Shanise.
What specific race is being insulted in the term “anchor babies” ? I don’t see one, so you tell us.
“anchor babies” is a term that’s offensive to many. So let’s just start using the legal terms aligned with the concepts being discussed.
The current interpretation of law in the USA is jus soli rather than jus sanguinis.
I don’t agree that anyone born on US soil should be automatically granted citizenship (jus soli), but that’s the law. I’d rather have it be that only those born to a citizen become citizens (jus sanguinis).
If we want it switched, it’s going to take a constitutional amendment or a Supreme Court decision to overturn precedent.
““anchor babies” is a term that’s offensive to many. ”
WHO is offensive to??? ILLEGAL immigrants!!! By god, let us not offend them.
That you CHOOSE to be offended is you problem, not mine.
Danise, please inform all of us of the PC words you would like us to use in addressing this out of control issue. This issue is a huge burdon on the taxpayers at all levels. Its hard for me to believe that the people coming over illegallly don’t know to give birth to at least one child in the US boarder hospital for the child’s citizenship and all that comes with it.
Plese do not try to insult my or their intelligance that they do not know this because they do.
Sally, you must forgive Danise. She has been on the Elgin Human Rights Commission for far too long. You know the old saying, “When all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail.”
I propose that Chuck Keysor Vote in place of GILLIAM when he is in Arizona and can not be at Council meetings. Is pay based on attendance ? If it is such an honor to serve, why pay at all ??
Mr Gilliam, you didn’t surprise me last evening at the Blackhawk Forum as you professed your ignorance about the Elgin budget. I have to wonder with your continual absence from city council meetings if you know what the budget even reports. Have you even read the report?
In your liberal fashion you went against the spirit of all forums and broke the rules by directly calling out Mr. Gavin claiming he was misrepresenting the budget information.
I do not know who I’m more angry at. The moderator who allowed you to get away with this personal attack and condescension or your complete lack of un-professionalism and personal lack of knowledge on how to read a budget ledger! The moderator did not allow Mr. Gavin to respond to a direct attack which was absurd at best.
Mr Gilliam you are a fear monger, propagandist who plays on the emotions of the people who are not fully informed. That’s what most liberals do. I’m here to tell you that I am one of the informed and your arrogance and patronizing attitude towards the citizens of Elgin will be your down fall.
Last evening Mr. Gavin was referring to reducing/rolling back the amount of recent massive tax increases totaling $22.5 Million. Please do not speak to me about closing fire stations, scaring the public when there is a surplus of money of approximately $7-9 MILLION in the 2012 general fund WHICH MEANS WE HAVE BEEN OVER TAXED! Have you ever opposed a tax on the citizens?
Don’t you dare tell me we need a “Rain Tax” to repair/replace the sewers when it was mentioned last evening by Mr. Gavin that according to the city’s engineering department the EPA is NOT REQUIRING AN ACCELERATION OF THIS PROJECT. This project will cost taxpayers approximately $105 Million when combining the projects from 2009 to fruition. Any acceleration of this project will be a great hardship on the citizens, businesses of Elgin and the city’s engineering department. It cannot be work any faster than the plans already in place. The city is incapable of moving faster with all the other projects planned. If forced, many city roads would be closed for an indefinite period of time making drives and commutes beyond a frustrating nightmare. This is not fear mongering, these are the facts!
Mr. Gilliam, you have been in office for 40 years. Where were you on this issue in your lengthily reign over the city’s well being and quality of life?
Even though it was St. Patrick’s Day, these shenanigans we all can do without. My sincere suggestion would be that you give up your position, retire with some dignity, take up full time residence at your home in Arizona and take care of yourself and your family.
Sally Foster
no need for your suggestions. just vote.
Hello Kim M. I think Sally is bringing up excellent points and important news. Important information bears repeating. Sally’s posts have a lot of important information which takes time for people to internalize. And of course as proof of the need for repetition, does anyone just place one ad for a product and say, well, I did my job? Of course not, as messages need to be repeated if they are going to connect and sink in. Thanks, Chuck
Sally and Chuck, who gave you permission to sit on the sidelines and criticize Bob. If you would put your energy towards making Elgin a better place to live we would all be better off. Your agenda is just another way to get people to vote for a candidate you support. A voter can see your motive to use dirt aginst good people. Bob did more for the city, as a member of the cuncil, than all of the others who are seeking to get elected. I look for Bob to be the leading vote getter in this election.
Chuck can hardly be accused of sitting on the sidelines.
As for putting energy towards making Elgin a better place, he’s done that, too.
The fact that he doesn’t rubber-stamp tax increases doesn’t mean he’s not seeking improvement.
It would not surprise me at all if Bobb gets the most votes. Name recognition and there are not many Elginites who read much. No shortage of ignorance here in Elgin. Sorry.
SUPERSIZING YOUR FOUR YEAR VOTES.
We need council elected that will be less tax hungry.
Because this is an “election at large” the top vote getters are the ones that win. This makes it extremely difficult for a challenger to get elected because many challengers will have voters that are passionate about getting the challenger elected BUT do not realize that when they use their other votes to vote for others usually they will vote for a popular incumbent. Since there are so many challengers who have voters that will vote for the many different challengers along with a popular incumbent the incumbent is naturally inclined to be one of the top vote getters.
The incumbents love to have a big field of challengers because of this.
YOU CAN SUPERSIZE YOUR VOTE AND NEGATE THIS “ELECTION AT LARGE” ADVANTAGE. Just vote for the challengers and possibly the one other incumbent that is a friend of the tax payer.
I want a more pro tax payer council majority so I definitely have to vote to return incumbent COUNCILMAN JOHN PRIGGE to office.
I feel challengers TERRY GAVIN and CODY HOLT would vote along the lines of COUNCILMAN PRIGGE so there go two more votes.
I am not sure of another challenger to vote for and because of the “election at large” effect I can’t vote for another popular incumbent as that would lesson the chances of TERRY GAVIN AND CODY HOLT to be elected because of the “election at large” effect.
So for what it is worth, I would suggest the taxpayers of Elgin consider voting for COUNCILMAN JOHN PRIGGE, CHALLENGERS TERRY GAVIN AND CODY HOLT for a better tax payer voice on the council for the four year position.
SUPERSIZING YOUR VOTES WILL HELP THE CHALLENGERS GET ELECTED.
For the two year vote, TOBY SHAW IS THAT VOICE OF THE TAX PAYER in my opinion.
Clarence Hayward
I would strongly suggest Toby Shaw, he is a friend to the taxpayer running in the 2 year race. Elgin needs a big governmental change and I see that with Shaw, Gavin and PrIggie only. Cody needs some battle scars to be groomed for 2016.
Your kidding mr right? Are you trying to tell me that if the positions were reversed you wouldn’t point out injustices heaped on your candidate? Bob has been a friend to BIG Government not the taxpayer. I don’t think he has ever voted against a tax increase. Please correct me if I am wrong on this. I think 40 years of Bob is enough!
BTW, you do not know me from Eve. How do you know what I have done and have not done in Elgin?
Remember, reporting the truth and freedom of speech isn’t against the law in Elgin yet.
Gilliam doesn’t live in Elgin, he lives in Arizona. He visits here when he feels like it. There are no rules that prevent him or anyone else from doing what he has been doing for years. If you don’t like, vote him out.
There are a lot of area people who have a home in two places. That is a common thing today. I see Bob shopping in Elgin stores all the time. The sales tax belongs to Elgin.
Sure, like Bobb brings his groceries back to Arizona. No one responded to my query, does he get paid only when attending meetings? How many has he missed ? Don Quixote for Mayor !!
FYI, any more anonymous posts in this thread will be deleted. Pick a user name.
RS, just so new or infrequent visitors to the site are on notice how about amending your Comment Policy to something like “Be civil. Be truthful. No ‘Anonymous’ posts. Pick one name and stick with it.”
You’re kidding me, right? Are you trying to tell me that if the positions were reversed you wouldn’t point out injustices heaped on your candidate? Bob has been a friend to BIG Government not the taxpayer. I don’t think he has ever voted against a tax increase. Please correct me if I am wrong on this. I think 40 years of Bob is enough!
BTW, you do not know me from Eve. How do you know what I have done and have not done in Elgin?
Remember, reporting the truth and freedom of speech isn’t against the law in Elgin yet.
I think it/he’s a joke. He just “happens” to be in town for elections. He resides in Arizona and is not in touch with the Elgin people or our needs. You have to live it to understand it no matter what your credentials are.
I don’t care for the use of “crap” publicly or privately. But I will remind everyone that last June, when Bob finally returned to the council after his long absence, that he angrily told the council that he was “sick of the crap from the critics”, with those critics being everyone who did not like how the council majority had jacked up our taxes for 2012.
Bob continued angrily, “Show me your plan, what would you cut? Man up!” Two weeks later (7/11/12), I spoke to the council, and informed them that I had emailed Bob, and copied the rest of the council and the manager, the cuts that the Elgin OCTAVE had proposed in late 2011. Those cuts amounted to about $3.4 million all made to the riverboat fund. And that did not even require closing either Lord’s Park or Wing Park Pools, and did not cut any police, fire or public works.
You know what? Despite Bob’s demands to see the “plans of the critics”, and despite the fact that I announced this and sent this to the entire council, and despite the fact that we didn’t even have a deficit in 2011 as promised by the City (instead of a deficit of $1.75million, we ended 2011 with an audited surplus of $652,090!) BOB never replied. He never said, gee, I am sorry for complaining about you and calling your opinions “crap”.
If Bob would have followed up, and said, Chuck, thanks for sending me your work, I know you put a lot of time into this, and I can see it was possible to cut without hurting core services, I would be telling you that Bob is an honorable man who deserves another term on the council. But that is NOT the case. And this is only ONE example I have. I am not reacting to a single slight.
Look, I am nobody special. I have no illusions or pretenses. But I can say I do interact with these council members, and I am not forming my opinions based upon if this person is my neighbor or my friend. I am basing my evaluations based upon how they WORK with someone who is trying hard to bring things to their attention. Will they listen? Will they talk responsibly? Will they even communicate? And that is even before considering how they vote!
Based upon YEARS of dealing with Bob Gilliam and Rich Dunne as a concerned citizen who interacts repeatedly with these men, I am telling you that neither of them should be re-elected.
If you want to vote for someone because they are your neighbor, go to your church, are your same race, or share your gender preferences, then that is your freedom, and the council election will remain a beauty/popularity poll. As a likely result, the City of Elgin will continue to suffer from high taxes and excess spending.
Chuck
Thanks Chuck I really admire you for your truthful candid facts/opinions that others think but will not dare say publicly I do agree with you 100%
Elginite=KKK
Simply because one does not agree with Bob’s decision to spend most of his time living in AZ (among other things), does not mean that they can ever reasonably be associated with the KKK, a deplorible organization that terrorized/murdered innocent people. How can a website even come close to being compared to that??? Obviously Maury has issues of their own.
I feel that Bob has greater things of concern in his life other than the City of Elgin. His health, his wife’s health, his in-laws health. All have (rightfully so) kept Bob from being able to perform his duties as he has in the past.
It would be a good thing for this man to retire, and to spend his time and energy caring for the people that rely on him. Obviously the stress of trying to do too much is catching up to him. Hopefully the people of Elgin will help Bob make the right decision.
FYI, the man who owns and runs this site is a member of an ethnic minority in the US.
I have stood in front of the Elgin City Council as well as in front of a candidate forum, and sent mass emails asking anyone and everyone to check out the Elginite, and to express their views.
No one is excluded from this site as far as I know. It is open to anyone who wants to post. The fact that you have been allowed to post should be ample evidence of that fact. Though the management will tell people to be civilized.
Chuck