Thread: IL: Did immigration group affect Elgin city council race?

Did immigration group affect Elgin city council race?
By Harry Hitzeman | Daily Herald Staff
Published: 4/9/2009 4:43 PM | Updated: 4/9/2009 8:02 PM

Voters this week ousted two longtime Elgin City Council members, both of whom were under fire from the Association for Legal Americans.

And the two candidates who won 4-year council seats - Richard Dunne and John Prigge - received AFLA support via advertisements, phone trees and people walking door to door.

So what was AFLA's effect on the election?

It depends on whom you ask, but most agree it was more cause than mere coincidence.

"We are thrilled. I know we had an influence in it because you don't knock off two incumbents easily," said David White, AFLA co-founder. "This is a start. It certainly breathes some life into organizations like ours because at least I know we have a chance. There are many Elgin people that are very unhappy with the direction the city has followed."

The Elgin-based association's goal is to raise awareness about illegal immigration and to give "our society permission to talk about it," according to its Web site. According to unofficial results, Dunne and Prigge unseated incumbents Juan Figueroa and John Walters, who had 32 years on the dais between them. Robert Gilliam was the only incumbent re-elected; he was not targeted by AFLA.

Four years ago, Figueroa tallied 3,715 votes in his re-election bid and was first in the field. Unofficial results from this week shows he finished fifth out of 10 who ran for three 4-year seats. He had 2,556 votes, while the leading vote-getter was Dunne with 3,145.

White didn't say his group was the main reason the newcomers got elected, but he did say it helped.

"We were able to turn enough of the tide to make it a race," he said.

Prigge said there was "no question" AFLA's support helped his campaign. But he noted he didn't accept any contributions from AFLA and spent most of his money on signs instead of mass mailings.

"I wanted to go to front doors instead of mailboxes," he said, adding that he presented ideas to voters and wanted to spur discussion.

Prigge also took the most aggressive stance toward illegal immigration during the campaign, saying the city should form a large coalition to pressure federal authorities for more help here.

Walters acknowledged AFLA's involvement did make a difference in the race. But he maintains that Prigge's push was misguided.

"If anybody thinks they could get the federal government to act, it's like taking a cat out for a walk on a leash. You can't do it," Walters said. "To their credit, (AFLA) got their people out (to vote) and we did not, and that's how it is in any election. I wish everybody well. There are hard issues facing the city."

Figueroa agreed that he didn't get his supporters out.

"Was AFLA the key to the election? I'm not sure," Figueroa said. "The final answer is people didn't get out to vote. The community has spoken. They want to go in a different direction."

In Elgin Township, 15.8 percent of registered voters turned out.

In the end, AFLA gave its support to several candidates.

Mike Robins, the candidate AFLA supported in the race to fill a 2-year unexpired council seat, finished last in a field of four.

The winner of that race, Mike Warren, was the only candidate at a February forum who said he would not accept an endorsement from AFLA.

Dunne said his focus is on putting residents before developers, enforcing codes and laws equally for everyone, and unifying the community.

"I appreciate the support from all the citizens of Elgin," he said. "I could not have done it without the support from the members of AFLA, SOAP (Speak Out Against Prejudice), veterans and many other groups."

Shirley Sadjadi, an Elgin resident and member of SOAP, lamented that Tuesday's election results mean there will be no Latinos on the council come April 29, when winners are sworn in. The election also means the council will not have a woman, either.

"They didn't get out and vote. What can I say? And if you don't vote, don't complain later," she said. "I wish the best of luck to the people who won. All of us have to work together to make our community better."

Elgin: Incumbents say supporters didn't get out and vote

http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=285470&src=5

Walters acknowledged AFLA's involvement did make a difference in the race. But he maintains that Prigge's push was misguided.

"If anybody thinks they could get the federal government to act, it's like taking a cat out for a walk on a leash. You can't do it," Walters said. "To their credit, (AFLA) got their people out (to vote) and we did not, and that's how it is in any election. I wish everybody well. There are hard issues facing the city."



LOL.....he should've used a different phrase because there are millions of cat owners out there who know that cats can, and do, walk on leashes....myself included.

Cats can be trained to do as their owners ask/tell them to do and I would suggest that so can the federal government be asked by it's lawful owners.....US.....to do what it's told or asked to do.

And, shoving ineffective incumbents off their thrones is the beginning of that training.

I hope the big shots in DC are paying attention to the outcome of lower level elections such as this one because the American people are starting to clean house.

Incumbent does NOT mean untouchable.....even in newspeak!!

This is excellent news! It gives me hope.

Shirley Sadjadi, an Elgin resident and member of SOAP, lamented that Tuesday's election results mean there will be no Latinos on the council come April 29, when winners are sworn in. The election also means the council will not have a woman, either.

Greater than GREAT NEWS! Take our country back American Citizens!

On the other hand, Waukegan has a new mayor who won by promising Hispanics he would do away with our city's application for 287g.