'People over politics': Contest for Rockford's 8th Ward pits incumbent against consultant

Ald. Karen Hoffman will face a challenge in the April 1 election from political consultant Jason Leviskas who is running as an independent candidate to represent Rockford's Eighth Ward.

Hoffman, 78, a Democrat, who said she lives within walking distance of her childhood home, is running for a third term.

She said she has unfinished business including the reconstruction of South Alpine Road with sidewalks and a multi-use path. She's proud that although Rockford lost roughly 4,000 residents according to the last census, the Eighth Ward, an area located mostly south of Broadway and west of Alpine, grew by about 400 people.

"People bought up the homes already built and restored them," Hoffman said.

Leviskas said his family has deep ties to Rockford with his great grandparents settling here more than 100 years ago from Mexico and Lithuania. He said he hopes to bring "common sense solutions" to Rockford City Council.

"I am running to put people over politics in the Eighth Ward and help usher in a higher standard for what people expect out of their alderman," Leviskas said. "I want to address the high taxes, declining safety in our neighborhoods and the shortage of new investments."

Early voting began March 17. We sent the candidates questionnaires to learn more about them and their campaigns. Here are some of their responses which have been edited for length.

Karen K. Hoffman

Age: 78

Occupation: Eighth Ward alderwoman

Hometown: Rockford (I grew up within walking distance of my current home.)

Family: Husband (Disabled Marine veteran who is also the District 10 County Board Member), six children (three are teachers including one who is the football coach for Jefferson High), 13 grandchildren, eight great-great-grand children.

Education Graduated from East High, 1965; Rock Valley, A.A.S, A.S , with honors, social services with minor in business; credits toward bachelor of science degree at Western Illinois University.

Hobbies:  Co-founder of the Rolling Green Association in 2008, League of Women Voters and American Association of University Women. Former Board Member of Neighborhood Network, Head Start, chairman of Rockford Housing Authority. Current chairman of the city of Rockford Community Action Board and have served on this committee for over 20 years. Winnebago County Board Member 2005-2010. Community activist for over 40 years.

What is Rockford getting right? Rockford's biggest strength is its people. Once they are brought together in a way they can be heard, they have wonderful ideas and are willing to make them work. As president of the Rolling Green Association and alderman, I've always made it a point to listen to people. This is how the Rolling Dale and Lindberg/Lindale got their streets rebuilt and Broadway got changed in a way that decreased accidents by 46% and students got a walk light. 

What are Rockford’s three most pressing challenges? 

Housing & taxes: I am working with District 815 to bring in market rate homes and Rockford Resurgence to bring in well-built affordable housing for low-income veterans. Developing more housing will also lower property taxes which is another big problem for our area. In this case, one plan can solve two big problems.  

Crime: I am supporting programs for children. It is to give them safe places to go when school is out of session so that they will be protected and not brought into gang situations. I also believe in assistance for those recently released from jail or the alternative if they chose not to participate which is a quick trip back rather than waiting years for their cases to go to court.  

Mental health: We need more in every school, but also much more for adults as most violence is a result of being raised in trauma. I have met as a group with Rep. Maurice West to keep pursuing this issue. 

Jason C. Leviskas 

Age: 41 

Occupation: Owner, Nspire Results Group Inc.  

Hometown: Rockford 

Family: Brandon (younger brother), Bhaswati (sister-in-law), parents, and a large Huitzacua family tree. 

Education: Rockford Christian High School, 2001; Rockford University, bachelor of science in political science, minor in business administration and classical civilizations, 2005; Eastern Illinois University, credits toward masters in public administration. 

Hobbies: Collecting political memorabilia, strategy games, gardening, reading, walking my dog, stock market research. 

What is Rockford getting right? We have excellent higher education opportunities in Rockford with Rockford University, Rock Valley College, and the new RVC campus coming to downtown. RPS 205's College and Career Education Center collaboration with our local trade unions, and RVC are great resources. We can never stop improving to meet the needs of our local employers. Since the invention of flight, Rockford's aerospace industry has been active in new innovations and the city has a world-class airport that functions as an economic driver with a robust cargo industry.

What are Rockford’s three most pressing challenges?

Public Safety: We have a crime problem in our neighborhoods and our streets. I want to re-evaluate how we patrol and police our city. We need to investigate technologies to keep our roads safer for pedestrians and drivers. The city currently does not have the maximum number of officers hired, as allotted by City Council. This needs to be rectified to get our police force at full strength. Rockford also needs to re-light its neighborhoods and streets, and implement temporary speed bumps on neighborhood streets acting as racecourses. 

Taxes: Rockford needs to collaborate with other local taxing bodies to figure out best practices to lower taxes across the board. ... I want to start the conversation by reducing, or ideally eliminating, the regressive 5% utility tax that was levied on Rockford back in 2018.

Business climate: Rockford, Greater Rockford Chamber of Commerce and the Region 1 Planning Council need to increase collaboration to improve on new-growth opportunities. Rockford’s mayor and City Council can do their part by investing in “shovel ready” land to attract new business. Our city has a beautiful airport, railroad assets, I-90/US-20, and a river that can all be utilized to attract additional economic development. 

Jeff Kolkey writes about government, economic development and other issues for the Rockford Register Star. He can be reached via email at jkolkey@rrstar.com and on X @jeffkolkey.