Bernard Schoenburg
The State Journal-Register
Ernie Slottag, who retired two years ago as the city of Springfield’s communications director, said Friday he’s running in the spring election for Ward 8 alderman. Slottag was press secretary to Illinois Attorneys General Neil Hartigan and Roland Burris before joining city government in 1995, at first working for then-Mayor Karen Hasara.
“I figure I’ve got 17 years in city government, so I know how it works, how it functions and who does what,” Slottag said. “I’d like to put that to work for the people in the ward here and see if we can help solve the problems and help resolve issues as they come up.”
The incumbent in the ward, Ald. Kris Theilen, is seeking another term. “I’m just running because I want to continue providing a public service, and I think this is the best way I can do it, as an alderman,” Slottag said.
Slottag said he was born in Indiana, graduated high school in Camp Point, near Quincy, has a communications degree from Western Illinois University and a master’s in the same field from the University of Illinois Springfield. He has lived in Springfield for 26 years. His wife, Ruth, recently retired from a public affairs post at the Southern Illinois University School of Medicine in Springfield.
Slottag has voted in Democratic primaries since at least 1992, county election records show. He noted, however, that he’s worked for three Republican mayors and one Democratic mayor, and given that the city council is officially nonpartisan, he’ll be working “for the people and not for a party.”
Slottag said he would want to work to make sure his ward gets needed services, such as tree trimming, street and sidewalk repair, and police and fire protection. “I just want to be sure that the people here are properly represented,” he said.
He had considered seeking the post of council coordinator, but he said he decided instead to run for alderman. He said he thinks that when 21-year coordinator Joe Davis soon retires, the alderman “should consider reducing the salary and taking it down to the neighborhood of $65,000.” Davis makes more than $100,000 annually.
Slottag is president of the Country Club Neighborhood Association, is past president and current secretary of the board overseeing the Crime Stoppers of Sangamon and Menard Counties, and is a past member of the local United Way and Red Cross boards.
Ward 8 is on the west side and includes Pasfield Park Golf Course.
Joe McMenamin for Ward 7 