Washington Park Mayor Ann Rodgers is running for reelection as a write-in candidate.

High-profile mayoral races will top the April 4 election ballot in many communities across Metro-East.

In Alton, incumbent Mayor Brant Walker will be challenged by businessman Scott Dixon, as well as two write-in candidates: community activist Joshua Young and Alton Police Lieutenant Dan Rauschkolb.

Seeking a second term, Walker contends Alton — beset for decades by job and population loss — has seen a turnaround over the past four years.  He cites the city’s new high-speed rail terminal, Alton Riverfront Amphitheatre, more than 200 business licenses, and more than $56 million in private investment. Crimes is down 5.8 percent, he says. More than 20 streets have been improved.

However, Dixon contends re-development in Alton has been “random” and calls for an update for the city’s comprehensive plan — with a substantial public input process — to facilitate further redevelopment of the city’s riverfront and a more business-friendly environment.  The owner of Dixon Distributing, one of Metro-East’s largest beer distributors, says he would decline city pension and health insurance benefits.

Write-in candidate Rauschkolb, likewise cites economic development as his top priority; promising an employment task force and a new technology-biotech district. He also calls for an affordable housing program for older adults, a new indoor state-of-the-art sports complex, additional efforts to address deteriorating infrastructure (with local companies hire to perform the work), and a special task force to curb the area’s growing opiate abuse problem.

Write-in candidate Young, a self-described progressive Democrat, promises an “advocacy administration.”  He also advocates STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Math)-based development efforts – ranging from robotics initiatives to installation of solar powered-street lights. He proposes an expanded system of commissions to involve area citizens — including a new police oversight board – and a city-sponsored urban farming program.

Alton Mayor Brant Walker has a challenge from a write-in candidate.
(Photo courtesy of  Brant Walker)

Mayoral races are also on the ballot in five other Madison County municipalities including Glen Carbon — where incumbent  Rob Jackstadt is being challenged by Steven Slemer — and Granite City where incumbent Ed Hagnauer is being challenged by Art Asadorian

In Belleville, incumbent Mayor Mark Eckert faces a challenge from Dallas Cook, who presently serves as city clerk.  Democrat Eckert has been mayor of Belleville since 2004. Republican Cook has been city clerk since 2013.  His father is former Mayor Rodger Cook. The incumbent enjoys the support of St. Clair County’s powerful Democratic party establishment. Cook is associated with the maverick St. Clair County Freedom Coalition, led by radio talk show host Bob Romanic.

Eckert favors renewal of Belleville’s 0.25 percent municipal sales tax (which is scheduled to expire later this year) and believes municipal subsidies for business start-ups (such as the Hofbrauhaus project on the city’s west end) should be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Cook believes the tax should be allowed to expire and does not favor public support for private businesses; saying public funds would be better used to provide basic services such as law enforcement and street repair.

In Washington Park, incumbent Mayor Ann Rodgers and all affiliated slate of incumbent village trustees are running for re-election as write-in candidates after being taken off the April 4 ballot election in a challenge mounted by rival village board candidate Mary McKinney. Listed as mayoral candidates on the village ballot will be Terrilyn Gossett and Rickie Thomas.

Rodgers and her affiliated trustee candidates were removed from the ballot by the Washington Park election board earlier this year, after McKinney filed a petition noting that state law requires candidates listed on an election ballot to have paid all applicable taxes.

Washington Park traditionally provides city vehicle stickers to elected officials free-of-charge. That means Rogers and the trustees did not have to pay the village personal property tax last year, McKinney noted.  St. Clair County Circuit Judge Heinz Rudolf last month denied an appeal to put Rogers and her slate back on the ballot.

Races for mayor or board president are also on the ballot in nine other St. Clair County cities or villages including O’Fallon, where Phil Goodwin and Herb Roach are seeking to succeed retiring Mayor Gary L. Graham, and Mascoutah, where incumbent Gerald E. Daugherty is being challenged by James E. Saffel, Sr.

Election officials report an unusually large number of write-in candidates in Metro-East this year, with more than 30 in Madison County alone.

— Mayoral races top April 4 election ballots in Metro East Illinois  —