Newcomer challenges incumbent in District 17 county board race

Republican incumbent Annette Fulgenzi faces Democratic challenger Aaron Tebrinke in the District 17 race for Sangamon County Board on Nov. 8.

Fulgenzi has served on the county board since 2015. In 2020, Fulgenzi defeated Democrat Drew Burnett with nearly 60% of the vote.

Fulgenzi lives in Sherman and is married with three children. She currently manages the Illinois Small Business Environmental Assistance Program and recently took over management of the Illinois First Stop Business Information Center, which served as the Illinois COVID Business Assistance Helpline during the pandemic.

Tebrinke, originally from Council Buffs, Iowa, has lived in Springfield for seven years. He is married with two children and currently serves as legislative assistant for state Sen. Dave Koehler, D-Peoria. This is his first campaign for elected office.

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Q: A draft of a report, "Heartland HOUSED: Springfield & Sangamon County's Strategic Plan to Address Homelessness," was recently released and was guided by a steering committee that included input from the Sangamon County government. It called for nearly a tripling of available housing for area homeless. Do you support the findings of the draft report or what other initiatives would you implement? 

Fulgenzi: I think we all can agree that we have a serious problem with homelessness in our community that has existed for quite a long time. We have had many individuals and organizations working independently to provide critical services and address the immediate needs of our homeless population. With annual county funding to staff the Heartland Continuum of Care we hope to aid coordination of efforts, study and implement best practices that have worked in communities similar to ours and provide more long term, hopefully permanent, solutions for individuals who are homeless in our community. Increasing the availability of affordable housing in various forms is just one step in finding the solutions to our homeless crisis. I believe it is critical that we find ways to end the continual cycle of homelessness for individuals often struggling with serious mental health crisis and/or drug and alcohol addiction. Our jails have unwillingly become revolving doors for the chronically mentally ill and we must push the state and federal government to provide more resources, mental health care facilities and long term medical & community support programs to provide more stable, humane solutions for this vulnerable homeless population.

Tebrinke: Our local system to address homelessness must provide ongoing supportive services with reliable and sustainable transportation. We need to be more effective by coordinating with all the inclusive organizations dedicated to improving the system. We need to share the progress as transparently and frequently as possible. The public needs to be a part of the effort every step of the way. Centralizing all the services will show where we are lacking and where our talents are overflowing so all areas of need are covered. Collaboration is necessary to make any impact. To reduce chronically homeless populations, and the suffering homeless veteran population, we must commit to listing every human in the area experiencing a variation of homelessness. From that list we can find homes for them one at a time. We need to get those that are capable on the road to maintaining steady employment in order to afford rent and monthly bills. Increased self-sufficiency can only happen with a support system. Permanent housing or rental assistance of any kind helps to keep a person away from the elements. Housing needs to be available for 765 people experiencing homelessness on any given day in our county. Hundreds of people are waiting for a housing referral at this moment.

Q: Sangamon County Animal Control has come under scrutiny recently leading to the dismissal of director Greg Largent. Some organizations have suggested removing Animal Control from under the leadership of Public Health. Would you support that initiative or what other improvements would you suggest for Animal Control? 

Fulgenzi: As an animal lover, I understand the passion and emotion that is involved in the provision of animal control services and I am thankful for the many partner organizations and individuals who devote time, energy and money to protecting, saving, loving and finding homes for the lost, abandoned, abused or neglected animals in our community. These groups provide an invaluable complement to our government animal control program by helping us save as many animals as possible from euthanasia. Government animal control programs are at their root a public health program as they provide preventative programs and services to protect both the human and animal population from disease as well as vicious and dangerous animals. After investigation and study of issues at animal control, it was determined that stronger leadership was needed and I have faith in our public health administrators and their efforts to increase staffing, provide a more structured volunteer program, and implement best practices has already resulted in increased adoptions and decreased euthanasia.

Tebrinke: Any person applying for a volunteer position now must be fingerprinted and forced to sign an agreement violating their first amendment rights to freely express their opinions with management. Remember, these are the same unpaid volunteers that are returning to volunteer after being publicly slandered by their local government. My opponent sent out a letter saying the “sensational allegations” of mismanagement were false, but then fired the director for mismanagement. The Illinois State Police investigation urged Animal Control to operate within reasonable standards by hiring more professionals to improve conditions. At the bare minimum the management needs to focus on the human management, but more importantly the vital physical and mental health of the dogs and cats being held inside. Hiring a qualified person capable of managing all the aspects of the position is a first step to righting the ship and steering it towards becoming a no kill shelter.

Q: The new multi-modal transportation center and the upcoming remodeling of the county building are “generational changing” projects in downtown Springfield. What is the county’s role in seeing that these facilities are best utilized and how might the county be good stewards of these projects?

Fulgenzi: Exciting things are happening! The new transportation center is one of the most impactful projects for our city and county in many years. The transportation hub, renovation of the county building and recent purchase and upcoming renovation of the adjacent SJ-R building will transform the block and I believe lead to more positive development downtown. For far too long the Tenth Street tracks have been seen as a symbol of division in our community and the county's goal is to develop these projects with a mindfulness that will help unite our community through celebration and recognition of our rich history and diverse cultures in this shared community space. Over 100 citizens have been engaged in various committees that are planning exhibits and artwork at the facilities as well as providing ideas for use of shared space which may include local entertainment/performers, some limited retail/food & beverage space, fitness facilities and other community uses. It has been a tremendous experience to serve on committees shaping such an important project for our area. Once completed, the county will continue to support, maintain, and provide some programming for the facility.

Tebrinke: Any form of public transportation that efficiently moves people to walking spaces will improve our citizens' health and the economic health of our businesses is an essential investment. The Hub, as it’s being called, will have a somewhat centralized space to get around town and travel on Amtrak and/or SMTD transportation. Making an accessible and welcoming space is important. We need to make sure the travelers most vulnerable to injury can easily and seamlessly move from one place to another as safely as possible. ADA-compliant platforms and features will make it possible for everyone to get to where they need to be with dignity. Performances by licensed artists are always a nice unexpected treat when you hear them play music as you move from station to station in major metropolitan cities. Giving a blessing and encouragement to allow licensed artists permission to perform would be a great way to showcase the diversity and talent of the folks in our community. Making a welcoming space with musicians and performance artists in the open public space inside the transportation Hub’s county square space would give enrichment to the space and community in general in a genuine way.

This article originally appeared on State Journal-Register: Incumbent Annette Fulgenzi faces Aaron Tebrinke in District 19