After Three Years of Balanced Budgets with Investments in City Infrastructure, Incumbent Mayor Says More Work to Be Done
Waukegan, IL—Today, Ann Taylor (I), Waukegan’s first female Mayor, announced her intention to run for a second term in office.
In three years in office, Taylor has increased grant money to improve City services while not increasing the property tax levy on residents and businesses. She has increased the Waukegan Police Department’s active officers by over 14% while ensuring less administrative overhead and more cops on the streets. This year’s proposed capital improvements are nearly three times as high as former Mayor Cunnigham’s last year in office while not taking any additional debt, paying down the Cunningham general obligation debts, and having a general fund surplus of over $50 million.
Waukegan Mayor Ann Taylor
“Three years ago, Waukegan voters gave this political outsider a chance to improve our hometown. It hasn’t always been easy during these three years, but that is to be expected when you are working against the status quo-good ‘ol boys network that has caused Waukegan to stagnate for decades. After three years of continuous progress, the results are clear as day. While nearly every other unit of government is increasing their tax levies, we haven’t touched ours in Waukegan. While almost all units of government are taking out massive amounts of debt financing, we are paying down our debts.
We’ve improved our business climate and brought back neighborhood policing. We’ve increased the City’s partnerships with our neighboring and overlapping units of government, non-profit organizations, and Waukegan’s vibrant faith-based community. These partnerships have been vital to improving public safety and ensuring that services that residents need are more easily accessible.
I know this campaign, like all campaigns, will be challenging, but I firmly believe that Waukegan is worth fighting for, and that’s why I proudly stand by my record in asking voters for another term in office. I’m confident that voters want Waukegan to continue to move forward, and they will reject the failed passed leaders and others who only want to run for Mayor out of personal political ambitions.”