About Jon E. Monken

Name: Jon E. Monken

Position sought: 1st Ward Alderman, St. Charles, Il.

Campaign contact information: jmonken@stcharlesil.gov

What will be your single most important priority if you get elected?

The single most important priority is to continue to work with city sfaff and community commissions and review and respect the information they provide to maintain a balanced budget while continuing to provide the quality services that our residents expect.

Home address: Ward 1, St. Charles, Il. 60174

Family members:

Jeanne Monken, Wife

Virginia Monken Gomez, Daughter (35)

Jonathon Monken, Son (33)

Education:

Bachelor of science degree in recreation administration, University of Illinois, 1974.

Current occupation and employer:

Executive director for the John B. Norris Recreation Center for the past 27 years.

Political party affiliation: Independent

Why Are You Seeking Office?

I am running for re-election for First Ward Alderman for the City of St. Charles. I would like to continue to give back to the community that has given me and my family the most rewarding lifetime experiences we could have asked for. Raising and educating our children here has become their foundation for successful and rewarding lives.I stay committed to maintaining our St. Charles heritage as we grow and develop.

What sets you apart from the other candidates?

I beleive the experiences I have gained in my first term as alderman is significant. My 27 years as Director for the Norris Recreation Center along with my memberships in St. Charles Noon Rotary, St. Charles Chamber of Commerce, and St. Charles Downtown Partnership, along with my wife teaching in St. Charles for 25 years, provides me with a great opportunity for open communication and involvement in our community.

Issue 1: What is your ecomonic development strategy for the city of St. Charles?

I believe the city needs to work with the Plannng Commission andfocus on the First St. Development and the Charlestown Mall to bring the right businesses in and to successfully build quality facilities to add to our tax base.

Issue 2: In light of the anger over the Lexington Club controversy, what steps would you take to restore trust in city government? To increase transparency?

The Lexington Club controversy was the greatest challenge we faced. I truly respect the opinons of the residents that opposed the development, but I respect the Plan Commissions unanimous approval for the development after the concessions and adjustments were made after years of negotiating. If the developers had left, it would have cost the city nearly as much to clean up the contaminated area as the TIF, and would have sent a negative message to other developers considering doing business with our city.

Issue 3: What steps would you take to help resolve the complaints of alcohol-related problems in the downtown area?

I believe the city is on course with the establishment of the Bar Owners's Association and our City Police Department in addressing the concerns of our alchohol-related problems. This is not a quick fix but is a step in the right direction. The City of Naperville is addressing the alchohol-related problems having had more serious events, so we are not unique to this issue.

Please add any other information pertinent to your campaign.

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