Economic development is the main goal for Bill Finucane, second ward alderman-elect.

Finucane is an NIU alumnus. He graduated with a general studies degree in 1984, and he received a masters in public administration in 1991. Finucane has worked for NIU transportation services since 1975; he has been the manager since 1986. Finucane has been a DeKalb resident for 31 years.

“DeKalb and the university have been very great for both my family and myself,” Finucane said.

Finucane said running for alderman was the logical next step for his community services.

He has many goals for the city, primarily crime reduction and economic development.

“We continue to look at DeKalb lacking a little bit lately in terms of economic development as we try to crawl out of the recession,” Finucane said. “I think we need to also try and bring in some industry that would provide some better paying jobs, some kind of industrial or technical careers.”

Finucane acknowledged that some DeKalb residents travel outside of the city to find employment. He said he wants to fix that problem. He said DeKalb needs to find a way to make itself unique to attract new business. He believes a stronger relationship between the city and university is key for economic development.

“I hope to work with the new mayor and council on trying to do some economic development,” Finucane said. “We have to find within a balanced budget tools for the police to use to reduce crime in the area.”

Finucane said he wants to replenish the city’s budget reserves that were depleted during the recession.

“We need to do that without increasing taxes, and the only way to do that is by broadening the tax base, whether it be bringing more jobs in or sales,” Finucane said. “We certainly don’t want to increase sales tax or anything like that.”

Finucane said the city would benefit from being more environmentally friendly. He said he was a key proponent in NIU purchasing hybrid Toyota Prii for the university police. Finucane said the Prii saved up to 75 percent of fuel costs for the university.

Finucane said he and Robert Snow, fourth ward alderman-elect, can be beneficial to City Council.

“Bob Snow and I are a lot alike,” Finucane said. “I think that the two of us may be just that fresh perspective that the council needs.”