Regardless of the size of your government, serving in public office is a major responsibility. Looking back. more than 200 years, most would agree that holding local office is truly the foundation of representative democracy. Some people come into local office through appointment or a non-contested election. Others are elected after weeks of door-to-door campaigning ranging from a simple introduction to a "down and dirty" battle with another individual or two.

It doesn't really matter much how you got there once you are sworn in, because the issues and problems will continue to roll in during your term of office. After the first few weeks that major issue or concern that motivated you to seek public office will be resolved and you will face as many as twenty decisions a week to keep the wheels of government rolling.

Here is a list of tips, by no means complete, that may make your service to your local government a little easier on you and your family.

• As quickly as possible begin to learn the day-to-day workings of your government. Set aside two to three hours a week for the first two months to visit the various departments, review each department's budget and discuss goals with the department head. This information will help you make good decisions in the future.

• Get a copy of Roberts Rules of Order to learn the rules of operation for the council or board. This will also let you know the limits of your power.

• Get to know your colleagues on the board or council. Make a point to visit with each to get to know each as an individual. You will be spending literally hundreds of hours with them over the next few years.

• Get in the habit of reviewing the meeting agenda as soon as you receive it. Set aside one hour or so to call key department heads, the manager or whomever to get any additional information you need to be ready for a vote at the meeting. ALWAYS BE PREPARED WHEN YOU GO TO A COMMITTEE OR COUNCIL MEETING. If you are scrambling during the meeting or always holding things up because you didn't do your homework, your colleagues, who have done their homework, will become resentful.

• Realize discussions and debates at meetings are for the public record and always be respectful of your colleagues even when you disagree on an issue. It is best to refer to your colleagues during meetings as Alderperson, Commissioner or Board Member. First names are too informal.

• Always debate issues, not personalities. The member on the other side of a vote today may be a key ally on the next vote. If each discussion becomes personal the process of government will breakdown. For years Senators Barry Goldwater, a leader of the conservative movement in the U.S. Senate, and Edward Kennedy, a spokesperson for the liberal movement, managed to maintain a close personal friendship even though they disagreed on many important issues.

• Never embarrass a colleague or municipal official in a meeting. If you feel you received bad information or misinformation from a colleague, it is much better to ask that the matter be tabled or held over until the next meeting to get your information rather than embarrass someone in public.

• No one likes surprises. Touch base with your colleagues prior to a meeting to explain a proposal you plan to make, answer their questions and seek their support. A surprise, especially something that is controversial or seen as grandstanding may get your name in the newspaper or score points with a special interest group, but in the end can permanently sour your relationship with your colleagues.

• Don't over discuss or over talk every issue. Meetings get long enough with the routine business. However, if an issue is important to you and your constituants, make a good sound argument or ask good questions.

• Look to outside sources for general information. Your best bet is the Illinois Municipal League. There are numerous other cities and villages dealing with similar problems and the League can help you find answers. Other good sources of information are your area's community college, the state universi-

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In 1974 Bill Morris was elected to the Illinois Senate to represent a portion of Lake County. At the time he was the youngest member of the Senate. In 1977 he was elected Mayor of Waukegan and served two terms. He holds a Masters Degree in Public Administration and has taught local government and budgeting courses at Loyola University, Lake Forest College and the College of Lake County. He is currently Senior Vice President and manager of the Illinois office for the Public Finance firm of Dougherty Dawkins.

July 1995 / Illinois Municipal Review / Page 5

ties, a local council of government and the State of Illinois.

• Make sure you keep in touch with the people who elected you to office. Set aside one hour each day to return calls and follow up on your residents' concerns.

• Educate your public. You will not always vote the way all the people want you to vote, so you need to make sure you keep them informed as to the reason for your position or decision.

• DON'T FORGET YOUR FAMILY. MAKE TIME FOR THEM AND DON'T DISCUSS GOVERNMENT BUSINESS AT THE DINNER TABLE.

There are three roles to being an elected official. First you are a decision maker for your community. Second you are an ombudsman for your neighbors in dealing with government. Third you are an educator learning the issues and educating the community as to why controversial decisions are made. A good local official will excel at all three. •

For the first time in many years Edwardsville city offices are in one location. The new Edwardsville City Hall is located at 118 Hillsboro Avenue in a 50 year-old building commonly known as the "old Sears building."

Originally built as a grocery store, the facility became a Sears store and more recently, provided office space for Madison County.

The new city hall has a stone facade and a redesigned interior. The outside of the building was designed to compliment the nearby courthouse complex and other buildings in downtown Edwardsville.

Tan stone panels form archways over the entrance. Original brick was painted to compliment the stone.

The new facility contains 18,000 square feet, almost double the size of the old city hall. Located on the ground floor are the city clerk's office, cable television office, city council chambers and a meeting room. The second floor houses the mayor's office, the public works department, parks and recreation, department of development and an aldermanic office. •

Page 6 / Illinois Municipal Review / July 1995