Urbana mayoral candidates Annie Adams and DeShawn Williams held a forum at the University YMCA on Wednesday with the West Urbana Neighborhood Association. Attendees were able to meet the candidates and ask questions about their candidacy and plans for Urbana.
The executive director of the YMCA, Jim Hinterlong, moderated the forum. It started with an introduction from WUNA, followed by the candidates pitching themselves.
Williams served as chief deputy treasurer for Champaign County for the past four years. He also has worked for 16 years in the banking industry. His main motive for running is believing in the importance of education and youth. He said he plans to implement restorative justice programs to keep youth out of jails and detention centers.
Adams has lived in and worked to improve Urbana for almost 10 years. She has served eight years on the Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Commission and serves as the senior marketing coordinator at the Grainger College of Engineering. Her decision to run for mayor came from caring for the city and believing in its potential to thrive.
Attendees had questions for both candidates about their educational backgrounds, plans on state and federal cuts, positions on hiring consultants and ranked-choice voting.
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The standout question of the night was when both candidates were asked to address one important issue in Urbana. Adams was prompted to answer first.
“Communication — I say that because I see a lot of rumors starting,” Adams said, implying the lack of awareness Urbana residents get from their city leaders. “Nobody knows what’s going on. I think it’s important to let people know and to be transparent that these things are happening.”
The Illini-Alert system used on the University campus is something Adams would like to see used in Urbana to inform residents about their community.
Williams said ensuring focus on the youth of Urbana and working to make it a nurturing city for the children was important.
When asked about changes they want to implement in Urbana concerning zoning and the use of land by district, each candidate had different plans.
Working at Illinois, Adams has a love for the University and its community for its students. She hopes the zoning plans will benefit students and research professionals seeking to live in the city as they pursue their studies.
“I would like Urbana to be a space for graduate students and professionals; I would like to build the type of housing they need,” Adams said. “I think zoning is going to be incredibly tricky because it’s going to take a lot of explaining and door-knocking.”
Williams followed up, describing a need to build community.
“We have to ensure that we have a community body along with community involvement and that folks within the community are the ones we’re going to first,” Williams said. “We just need to ensure that we’re not removing the integrity of the neighborhoods that are currently existing.”
When it came to the finances, candidates discussed the current economic state of the city. Adams’ main concern is its expenses.
“We are currently outpacing our revenue,” Adams said. “The City of Urbana hasn’t raised property taxes in eight years. We need to add businesses, and we need to add more housing. We need to do it in a way that preserves character in neighborhoods — it’s like planting a tree: It’s going to take us a while.”
Williams shared how there are opportunities present to ensure the land can be leveraged.
“I do feel that the city has dropped the ball in prioritizing the neighborhoods; that’s what I am hearing,” Williams said. “You have these properties and property owners who don’t even live in the county.”
Attendees asked both candidates about erasing the digital divide so people lacking digital literacy can succeed in the 21st century.
According to Adams, the majority population in Urbana is under 25 and over 60, but it’s primarily the elderly who may not have the skills to access a mobile device or computer.
The City of Urbana wanted community internet for the city, but the plan fell through.
“We pay quite a large sum of money for the internet,” Adams said. “Not having access to the internet is a real problem. You have to have a device; if you don’t have a mobile device, you are unable to get a job.”
The forum wrapped up after 15 questions, and both candidates shared their closing statements.
“I just want to reassure folks who are thinking about supporting me, I still believe in the period of public service,” Williams said. “ I genuinely want to support the people who put me in the place to do so. Ensure that you’re allowing your voices to be heard.”
Adams ensured the audience she would strengthen the community and keep the city running.
“Our city is rich with amazing people, vibrant arts and diverse cultures,” Adams said. “We made it through the pandemic together; we will make it through this, too. In these times, we need community, and I have experience building it. It’s this kind of practical work that gets me excited about what our government can do.”
The two candidates, along with Hinterlong, encouraged audience members to vote for the new mayor during the primary election on Feb. 25.
