Belleville’s three mayoral candidates face each other, voters at forum
.jpg "Belleville mayoral candidates, left to right, Ryan Musick, Patty Gregory and Jenny Gain Meyer are shown at a forum Monday night in the Southwestern Illinois College theater. Meyer is challenging Gregory, the incumbent. Musick is a write-in candidate.")
A candidate forum on Monday allowed Mayor Patty Gregory and her challenger, City Clerk Jenny Gain Meyer, to summarize their accomplishments and visions for the future ahead of election day April 1.
It also gave many residents a first look at Ryan Musick. The write-in candidate was invited to join the others onstage in the Southwestern Illinois College theater and given equal time to answer questions.
Musick, a 41-year-old contractor with a faith-based philosophy, provided several moments of comic relief while admitting his lack of government experience and limited knowledge of political issues.
“I feel honored just to get to sit here and share my thoughts and ideas with everyone,” Musick said during his closing statement. “I feel like this is one of the first times people have actually listened to me.”
The crowd of about 100 people laughed and gave him a big round of applause. But informal discussions afterward focused mainly on the two official candidates and their performances.
The 90-minute forum was sponsored by the East St. Louis branch of the NAACP and United Congregations of Metro-East and live-streamed on the NAACP Facebook page. Moderators asked their own questions and those submitted on index cards by audience members.
Candidates discussed what have become prevailing issues in the campaign: The deterioration of Belleville neighborhoods, derelict homes often occupied by homeless people and the impact on crime.
Gregory, 71, pointed to the demolition of 51 derelict homes and other buildings under her administration and an “infill” program that has led to agreements with contractors to build up to 10 homes on vacant lots.
“The price goes from $225,000 to $275,000,” she said. “We have a very diverse group of young families who are purchasing these houses, and that is not only just improving neighborhoods but also the whole city.”
Meyer, 49, argued that the city needs to do more to renovate older homes before they deteriorate to the point of condemnation and to implement new programs, such as one in Collinsville that helps to convert rentals back to owner-occupied, single-family housing.
As for crime, Gregory said one of her accomplishments was renewing a lapsed union contract for police officers, giving them raises and helping with recruitment. Meyer suggested a more “personal” approach to policing.
“We need to have our officers in the neighborhoods,” she said. “We need to work on building more neighborhood associations and neighborhood watch groups, and the ones that we do have, we need to strengthen them.”
Musick said crime would decrease if officials helped to solve its “root causes,” such as drug use, poor diets, homelessness and mental illness. He called for more shelters and rehab centers.
Gregory stressed the importance of economic development, saying her administration has been aggressive in that area. She touted recent projects such as redevelopment of the former Lindenwood University campus and plans for a new solar farm at Mount Hope Cemetery.
Meyer said the city should focus on increasing its population, which would help with economic development.
A question about arts and entertainment led Gregory to remind people that she was founding director of Art on the Square for 20 years. Meyer said the city should continue to support its many parades and festivals downtown, where she’s a regular volunteer.
“I feel like live entertainment is the wave of the future,” Musick said, adding that people who were cooped up at home during COVID-19 are looking for opportunities to get out of the house.
If elected mayor, Meyer promised to update a comprehensive long-term plan for the city and another one for street upgrades.
All three candidates agreed that the city should maintain a strong relationship with nearby Scott Air Force Base, try to attract a large hotel and work to ensure diversity and a welcoming atmosphere.
“We have 333 employees in the city of Belleville, (and) only 10% are minority hires, and I think that is an area where we need to improve on,” Gregory said. “We are a community that is 24% minority.”
Belleville was 57.8% white, 32% black and 3.4% Hispanic or Latino in 2020, according to the last U.S. Census.
After asking for a definition of DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion), Musick said people should just show “unconditional love” for everyone, regardless of race or gender.
In answers to several questions, Meyer stressed the importance of giving residents a voice in local government.
“We have to do better at getting people involved,” she said.
Gregory is a retired public-school teacher for 34 years who taught special needs and second grade. She was elected mayor in 2021, defeating the late former Mayor Mark Eckert.
Meyer is former director of environmental programs for St. Clair County Health Department and former director of health, housing, building, cemetery operations and animal control for Belleville. She was elected city clerk in 2017 and reelected in 2021.
Ryan Musick is a contractor and church activist. He said he was going to become a minister but God told him he could be more effective in politics. He ran against Illinois Rep. Jay Hoffman in 2020 and St. Clair County Board Chairman Mark Kern in 2024 and lost.
Editor’s note: This story has been updated to clarify the racial makeup of Belleville according to the last U.S. Census.
This story was originally published March 25, 2025 at 2:58 PM.
