5th Ward alderman Republican primary: Rein says he offers stability, while McReynolds touts legal, financial experience

QUINCY — Republican 5th Ward Alderman Mike Rein said he’s hearing no complaints as he goes door-to-door leading up to next Tuesday’s primary election where he faces a challenge from buisnesswoman Laura McReynolds.

“They’re telling me they’re voting for me. They tell me that I’ve done a good job, and they want me to stay there,” he said.

Rein is retired as the executive director at Transitions of Western Illinois and has been on the City Council since 1999. He is campaigning on a platform of stability and fiscal responsibility, stating most residents are satisfied with the current state of the city. While infrastructure is a concern citywide, he is proud when he says the 5th Ward has “some of the best streets in town.”

McReynolds, a financial planner and partner of Adams and McReynolds, said she’s finding 5th Ward residents excited about the city’s economic momentum, citing recent developments such as the Amazon distribution center and new retail investments. However, she also has heard concerns about local infrastructure, including issues with public maintenance and traffic control measures.

“It’s impossible to tell whether or not people are actually going out and voting, but it is energizing to just knock on doors and talk with people, because people, I think generally, are excited that someone’s willing to throw their hat in the ring and give it a try,” she said. “If you win, you represent the 5th Ward, but still, you have to take votes and do things that keep the entire city in mind when you’re talking to people. What are their core concerns?”

McReynolds is now an empty nester as her children are grown. She said running for office is something she has always wanted to do. She has a background in political science, law and financial planning. She has long had an interest in civic engagement.

She also said she believes in term limits.

“Twenty-five years is too long, and that’s nothing against Mike,” she said. “I actually thank him for his service to this community, but things get stagnant when you’re in office for that long, and you shouldn’t take that for granted … and I don’t know that he does, but I don’t think he should.

“My experience, both my legal background and my financial background, would benefit our community. I think just a fresh perspective and new energy would benefit our community. Both my legal and financial background call me to a duty of care to my clients. That same duty of care is owed to all of us as taxpayers.”

Rein’s primary concern is the city’s budget. He said the city has spent more money as record revenues have come in. He warns that with the end of federal and state COVID-19 funding, tax increases are likely, and he argues that while residents are making financial adjustments, the city has not. He supports spending cuts and believes the city must take a more disciplined approach to budgeting.

While he advocates for honoring the sunset of the food and beverage tax in April, he said there should be discussions about voting on it again and, possibly, repurposing it to help cover pension obligations. He said the city should also continue the 1 percent grocery tax that the state is abolishing.

McReynolds said growing the city’s sales tax base is a better route than increasing property taxes, but added that property tax growth will also come with industrial and business growth.

“I mean, the growth with the Amazon distribution center, the growth with the two new manufacturing plants coming … Target, for heaven’s sake,” she said. “Having having worked in other industries, working with site acquisition people, when they see something like a Target coming to Quincy, they see something like a Raising Canes coming to Quincy, all of a sudden, Quincy is on the radar.

“Growth begets growth. It’s a snowball effect.”

Rein also said it was important to continue to maintain the city’s quality of life through zoning and resisting annexation.

Both McReynolds and Rein agreed City Hall could use a little more transparency and more public deliberation. Rein said he agreed with City Council colleague Jeff Bergman (R-2) that the streaming system used to show council meetings publicly has been a disaster and needs to be permanently outsourced to “people who do that for a living.”