Elgin council to look at budget, illegal immigration
Elgin council will vote on tightened 2009 money plan


December 16, 2008
By STEVEN ROSS JOHNSON Staff Writer

ELGIN -- City leaders are expected on Wednesday to adopt next year's financial plan, which is projected to have significant spending cuts to address the ever-worsening state of an economy many feel is on course to worsen.

The proposed $276 million fiscal plan for 2009 is an 18 percent decrease from the 2008 budget, with a 2.5 percent projected decline in city income coupled with a 9 percent increase in expenses.

While police and fire are among the few city departments expected to see a rise in their funding compared to this year, others -- such as community development -- will see double-digit percent declines to their budgets.

The first effects were felt last month when the city announced it was laying off 16 employees, with plans to eliminate as many 54 positions by 2010 through reassignments, early retirement or not filling vacancies.

Initiatives vs. illegals

Also scheduled for Wednesday's council meeting is an update on the city's measures to enforce against illegal immigration.

Elgin Police Chief Lisa Womack and City Corporate Counsel William Cogley will give a report detailing the results of four initiatives started in January to provide tougher screening of companies working for the city, as well as foreign-born arrestees booked at Elgin jail.

In a June report, police said they identified more than 80 people to U.S. Immigration Customs and Enforcement officials as having illegal immigration status during the months of March and April.

In January, Elgin reinstituted use of the federal government's Web-based E-Verify screening system to check employees' Social Security numbers with the Social Security Administration and Department of Homeland Security databases to verify work status.

The city council meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m., with a special presentation scheduled at 5 p.m. to discuss ways the city can become a more sustainable community.
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