Two candidates for Elgin Township Supervisor shared ideas on how to make Elgin prosper on March 18 during a candidate forum sponsored by ECC’s Center for Civic Engagement. 

Incumbent since 2021, Republican candidate Ken Bruderle is running against challenger,  Democratic candidate Vern Tepe.

One of the primary functions Bruderle mentioned about the township is their role in general assistance for the community.

“It’s set up so if someone’s down on their luck and they need help, they can come and apply and get some financial help,” Bruderle said.

Tepe also explains, “One of the things that Elgin township does is they have the ability for people who have financial difficulties living in the township to come in and get financial assistance.”

There are limits to what the township can or can’t do, such as following statutes.

“In Township government, if the statute doesn’t specifically say you can, then you cannot… so before any actions done, we have to look at the statute,” Bruderle said.

Tepe also agrees, further mentioning the specificity of what the townships reach is.

“Unless you can specifically do something for the township, you’re not allowed to do it,” Tepe said. 

If elected, one of Tepe’s primary goals is to improve the township’s mental health board. It began in 2019.

Tepe also mentions that there is the Elgin Township and Elgin Township board, both being different; however, they have a similar purpose in providing general assistance.

However, Bruderle uses a different term than Tepe; instead of grants, he says service agreements are being utilized.

“What Mr. Tepe was referring to giving out funds…we do direct service that’s where we provide the service directly or indirect, which what he was referencing is funds, and those are service agreements, not grants,” Bruderle said. 

Bruderle also expressed beforehand that he wanted to ensure that the Community Mental Health Act was followed strictly so that it would not be challenged again.

“Following the act and then the Community Mental Health Act, we follow everything to the T, and I wanted to make it bulletproof so no one could challenge it again,” said Bruderle. 

Bruderle relates being a Township Supervisor to being a mayor and directing general assistance.

“So the township supervisor is, the supervisor is like the mayor for unincorporated areas, the supervisors… the CEO of the township and in charge of general assistance,” said Bruderle.