Elgin, Illinois

Elgin (pronounced (IPA)) is a city 40 mi. (64.5 km) northwest of Chicago, Illinois on the Fox River. Most of Elgin lies within Kane County, Illinois, with a portion in Cook County, Illinois. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 94,487, making it the eighth largest city in Illinois. Elgin is a diverse and rapidly growing community that was profiled in a 1997 issue of Money Magazine as a microcosm of the United States.

Government

Elgin was chartered as a city by the State of Illinois in 1854, and 100 years later, became the first city in Illinois to adopt a Council-Manager form of government. Residents elect six at-large council members and a mayor, who serve on a part-time basis. The city council meets every other wednesday at 6:00pm at City Hall. The city manager, a full-time professional, serves at the pleasure of the mayor and city council. Elgin's current mayor is Ed Schock.

Related Topics:
Council-Manager - Ed Schock

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The city is represented in the Illinois legislature by Representative Ruth Munson(R) and Senator Steven J. Rauschenberger (R), Assistant Minority Leader. In Congress, Elgin is represented by Speaker Dennis Hastert (R), Representative Henry Hyde (R), and Representative Melissa Bean (D). Senator Rauschenberger was a primary candidate for U.S. senate in the 2004 elections, and has announced his candidacy for Illinois governor in 2006.

Related Topics:
Dennis Hastert - Henry Hyde - Melissa Bean

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Elgin is in Hanover Township of Cook County and Elgin Township of Kane County. Elgin Township is governed by a supervisor (Doug Johnson) and four trustees (Robert "Bob" Johnson, J. Patrick Hudgens, Vicki Pellock and Kurt R. Kojzarek) elected to four year terms.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~