Ela First Details Vision for the Future

Submitted by Ela First.

With voting officially opening today for the municipal elections, the Ela First slate of candidates is spending the final two weeks of the campaign promoting their vision for the future of Ela Township and why they are the best candidates to lead the township into the future.

“First and foremost, we will continue to spend the public’s tax dollars wisely and conservatively. We understand that we’ve been entrusted with our neighbors’ tax dollars and we will continue to respect that fact by tightening our belt and seeking out additional efficiencies within the township,” stated Bill Kruckenberg, Ela Township Highway Commissioner.

Over the past eight years, Ela Township has operated with a balanced budget due to reductions in spending and smart planning. This has allowed the township to take on several large projects, including the new Town Hall and the new Community Center, without raising taxes or incurring debt. In addition, the township has worked to set aside a $2.2 million surplus, enough for eight months of expenses, to ensure continued fiscal stability. At its most recent meeting, the Township approved a 20% reduction in the tax levy on top of the 28% reduction the Highway Department had already put in place.

“Another goal of ours moving forward is to continue to increase services for our residents, something we have accomplished and will continue to accomplish while remaining within our conservative budget,” said John Barrington, Ela Township Assessor. “We have nearly doubled the senior program in the past two years, now reaching over 2,500 seniors per month, and continue to expand youth programs. We continue to seek out ways to enhance these programs, including improving parks to ensure our playgrounds and tennis courts remain safe for children and residents.”

Finally, Ela First has plans for continuing to move the township forward. Township Trustee Larry Bowman explained: “In the coming years we have plans to rehabilitate and preserve the ElaTownship Historical Building, an important part of Ela’s heritage. As with all our previous projects, this will be done without borrowing a dime or increasing taxes.”

Lucy Prouty, Ela Township Supervisor, summarized the campaign: “The Ela First slate of candidates has proven they know how to lead the township by being fiscally responsible, keeping spending low while planning for the future. We know the members of the community appreciate our ability to continue to move the township forward despite decreasing revenues due to the bad economy, something other communities have not been able to accomplish without raising taxes. I sincerely hope the voters look past the lies and attacks of our opponents and allow us to continue to serve them well in Ela Township government.”

Ela First has received endorsements from leaders like Congressman Peter Roskam, State Senator Dan Duffy, State Senator Matt Murphy, State Representative Ed Sullivan Jr, Lake County Treasurer Robert Skidmore, Lake County Board Members Craig Taylor and Nick Sauer, Deer Park Village President Bob Kellermann, and former Lake Zurich Mayor Henry (Hank) Paulus.

Ela Township serves 40,000+ residents and covers 36 square miles. Within its borders are all or part of the Villages of Barrington, Deer Park, Hawthorn Woods, Kildeer, Lake Zurich, Long Grove, North Barrington, and portions of unincorporated Palatine and Mundelein.

The Ela First slate of candidates consists of Lucy Prouty for Supervisor, William L (Bill) Donnan for Clerk, Bill Kruckenberg for Highway Commissioner, John Barrington for Assessor, and Nancy Thompson, Larry Bowman, Jack Reck, and Lynn O’Brien for Trustee. To learn more about the Ela First candidates, please visit www.ElaFirst.com.