Elgin embodies what it means to be a "city of choice" A letter to hesidents hhem mayer Kaptain Elgin is the proud home to over 112,000 people, and it continues to grow and develop in many capacities. Elgin embodies the phrase "city of choice" as it provides a place for people to live create opportunities, grow families and businesses, and enjoy visiting year-round. Elgin is truly a city of genuine and authentic character, rich with diversity and histony Elgin is also a progressive city consisting of engaged residents,a mixture of small and large businesses, as well as proud community activists that contribute to making this city a better place to live, work, play and grow every single day Elgin has seeus growth in its geographical size, number of residents, and its commercial and industrial businesses. As a city of choice, Elgin provides a diverse workforce and housing stock, quality healthcare and educational opportunities and convenient transportation options. Just this past year, we saw an ansion of 1-90 and the new park and ride Pace Express service in addition to several other regional and local infrastructure improvements The city of Elgin offers an urban appeal with ample cultural, entertainment and recreational opportunities, matched with conveniences of traditional suburban communities. Most cities in Illinois are shrinking, but not Elgin. Elgin continues to grow as an art hub with a historic downtown, beautiful river walk, engaging community events, and sustainable practices. Elgin has also been recognized for its safety, diversity and as a top city to raise a family. And with Elgin nearly doubling in size over the past 40 years, we are also proud to have a 40-year low crime rate. It's no wonder so many people want to call Elgin their home. Elgin's city government continues to find strategic and innovative ways to serve its residents and businesses more effectively and efficiently, all while maintaining a AAA bond rating, investing in technology, and always engaging with stakeholders. The collaboration of community members, business leaders, educational institutions, and non-profit organizations drive this city to do bigger and better things each year. Elginites embrace not only the city's history and culture, but also celebrate what makes Elgin truly unique: its people. Elgin's thriving community I continue to pursue opportunities that position itself for future success