Lillian Schneider, candidate for City Council Ward 1 in Belleville, IL
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More on the election for Belleville City Council Ward 1
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Name: Lillian Schneider
Political party (if applicable): True Independent
Age as of April 6, 2021: 65
Campaign website or social media page: Lillian Schneider on Facebook
Office seeking: Alderman Ward 1
Are you an incumbent? No
Previous offices sought: Alderman Ward 7 / Alderman-at-Large (2011-2015)
Occupation: Semi-retired
Education: High school graduate
Please list highlights of your civic involvement: Ran Neighborhood Watch; Volunteer for Art on the Square & Wine, Dine and Jazz; Held presentation for the City’s Arson Dogs/New Fire Truck; Organized to get AED machine for City Hall and a CPR class for elected officials.
Who are your top three campaign contributors? None
Why are you running? To be a voice for the residents of Ward 1. I am not affiliated with either mayor candidate.
What is the top issue in your race, and how would you address it? Spending is the top issue. I want to increase citizens’ awareness through town hall meetings and encourage them to review the budget and comment to other elected officials.
Why should people vote for you? I care about the people of Ward 1 and don’t believe they are being heard. I will be their voice in City Hall.
Belleville Tax Increment Finance District 3, or TIF 3, is expiring this year. Do you agree with the proposal to extend the expiration date for another 12 years? Why/why not? I do not agree with extending TIF 3. The City needs to prioritize the infrastructure they already have. We the citizens need to see whether TIF 3 has brought in the revenue promised.
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a devastating effect on parts of Belleville’s economy. How would you grade the city’s response and, if you are elected, what would you do to help businesses and residents? I feel the City could have avoided the layoffs last summer if the City had a better emergency fund for such events. If elected, I would encourage the City to create a flexible payment plan allowing businesses and residents to pay their sewer bill over time (instead of during these difficult times).
What is your opinion of how the Belleville Police Department handles public safety in the city? Do you think the city needs more or fewer police officers? If you want additional officers, how would you fund that cost? My opinion of the Police Department is we need better oversight and resources for our officers. The department is quick to ask for residents’ help when needed, but residents are made to feel like a burden if they call often regarding crime in their neighborhood. No officer with the City should tell a neighborhood watch chair “they are not the only one who needs an officer” and “you’ve called here 3 times” and “what is this your concern” and “who have you been talking to?” With the city at the minimum number of officers recommended by the FBI, I definitely feel the City needs more officers. Finding the funds to pay for more officers won’t be easy, but reprioritizing the City’s budget would be a great start.
Belleville has offered various tax incentives to support businesses in recent years. What are your plans to increase economic development in the city and how would you use tax incentives? I believe we need to stop upfront incentives for businesses. Incentives can be a good resource, but we should only provide them to businesses who have the capacity to generate economic development to the City. I recommend only giving incentives to businesses after they are established in the City.
This story was originally published February 24, 2021 at 6:18 PM with the headline "Lillian Schneider, candidate for City Council Ward 1 in Belleville, IL."