2012 Election Profile: Evelyn Maxine Givens

Address: 580 Lincoln Station Drive, Oswego, IL 60543
Campaign contact information: Campaign to Elect Evelyn Givens, P.O. Box 951, Montgomery, IL 60538                                            
Age: 32
Family: Mother (Oswego), Father (Chicago), Son (17 months old, Oswego), Sister (California)
Education: A.A. Wilbur Wright College (Chicago 2001), B.A. Northeastern Illinois University (Chicago 2003) Political Science, M.A. Northeastern Illinois University (Chicago 2007) Political Science
Previous elected or appointed positions: Precinct Committeeman Oswego 4 (April 2010)

1)      What can you do to foster economic development in Kendall County? What level of cooperation do you think is necessary with municipalities to accomplish this?

Kendall County has tremendous potential for economic growth and development.  There is expansive land for business development, a growing population of residents that are ready to work, and tax incentives (per CNN Money, June 16, 2010):   (http://money.cnn.com/2010/06/16/real_estate/fastest_growing_counties/index.htm).

What I would do to foster continued economic growth is to hold a summit that would showcase Kendall County and its municipalities.  This summit would allow county and local governments to demonstrate what we can provide to businesses and how we can make them profitable.  Each town would have to create an economic development plan that maps out the strengths of their town and what they are willing to do to promote growth (which would include job creation).  I would invite businesses from all over the country to ask questions and evaluate our county and see if this is a place where they would like to conduct business.

By showcasing what the county has to offer on a wider scale and putting emphasis on the growing population that we have, I believe that we will have a good chance to grow in a positive direction economically.  Additionally, we will be able to put people to work and hopefully, in time, retain our residents here, working within Kendall County.

In addition to the summit, I would also make sure that the board was in constant contact with the businesses that we already have to ensure that their needs are being met. As much as we need to bring in new companies, we have to do out part to ensure that the businesses that are already here are being provided for adequately.  I believe that there is no way that the county can create economic growth without the cooperation of municipalities.  If Kendall County is providing support to cities and villages so that they can create economic growth and jobs, it is their responsibility to ensure that they are doing everything that they can to drive business into their town and eventually into the county.

2)      Would you support a 0.75 percent RTA sales tax to locate a Metra stop in Kendall County?

In conjunction with the first question, I would support a 0.75 percent RTA sales tax for a Metra stop. One of the big reasons the county is having a hard time getting business is that there is no transportation coming into the county.  With the exception of KAT, we don’t have continued bus service like other counties. To even get to the interstate, in most cases you have to drive through another county.  By having a Metra stop, not only does it show the willingness to provide transportation to county residents, it is also a major step being taken to show companies that their employees will have their transportation needs met. 

We are in major need of transportation in Kendall County.  There is no reason why we should have to continue to drive into Kane County and catch a train when we can have transportation right in our back yard.  Creating the Park & Ride station in Oswego was a step in the right direction.  In addition to having a Metra train stop, it would be beneficial to have Pace bus service as well. Not only would it bring in sales tax revenue, it would also be a much needed break from soaring gas prices and monthly parking passes.

3)      What lessons did you draw from the dog bite incident and its aftermath? Do you think the changes the county has made at Animal Control are adequate?

The biggest lesson from this is also the easiest lesson: verification. County officials should have followed up with Animal Control to verify that the information that was given to the public was, indeed, correct. There are a number of things that should have been done correctly that just weren't.  People in positions of public trust need to make sure the safety of residents come first. 

However, I do think that the changes that the county has made are adequate. They brought in someone that can really educate the workers and volunteers with her years of experience and expertise. That is an invaluable asset to have in any organization.

4)         Do you think the redistricting process was fair for people who live in the county’s larger municipalities?

Fair representation for all of Kendall County should have been the goal of the board during the redistricting process.  Both districts, as of 2011, have between 56,000 to 58,000 people per district. The larger municipalities, such as Montgomery, Yorkville and Oswego, should have been divided up into additional districts, so that the needs of the residents can met.  Residents of rural Oswego may not have the same concerns as residents of Boulder Hill.

The public was not given adequate voice during the redistricting discussions.  Not only are the residents of the larger municipalities being deprived of the opportunity to be represented, but there is a county-wide general consensus about the lack of representation.  

5)         Aside from the issues discussed above, what issue or problem do you think the county board should address, and what action would you take if elected/re-elected?

There needs to be more communication from the Kendall County Board.  There are two monthly meetings in which citizens can come and voice their opinions. Why is it that both meetings are not held in the evening? If I am elected to the county board, I would reschedule the two public meetings to be held in the evenings, so that more residents can attend.

In addition to the board packets that are online, meetings should be videotaped and posted on the Kendall County website, so that residents have access to them and see what was discussed.  Also, I would suggest a quarterly county board member Meet & Greet event, where residents can meet board members in different parts of the county so that they can come and talk about issues that are of major importance to them and their neighbors.

I believe that if we, as citizens of Kendall County, had better and more accommodating communication with our elected board, more of our issues would be addressed.  We are asking our residents to vote for people who are going to fairly represent them. There are 20 people running for 10 county board seats.  I think that speaks volumes about the need for change on the Kendall County Board.

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