Prussing Seeking 4th Term As Mayor

Urbana Mayor Laurel Prussing will seek a fourth term next spring, touting the city's record  on areas like violent crime reduction and holding the line on property tax rates. She made the announcement at her home Wednesday afternoon with city staff and supporters.

Prussing says the city has not made cuts in police staff, and presented numbers showing a gradual violent crime reduction in nearly every year since 2004. 

She also touts efforts to improve police-community relations, and set up a citizen review board during her first term.

“We think we offer good services, but if our constituents are unhappy for any reason, and the police chief can’t solve the problem, they can go to an independent body," Prussing said. "So now Champaign is talking about it, but we did it back in 2006.”

She’s facing at least one opponent in a February 28th Democratic primary. Alderwoman Diane Marlin announced her plans to seek the office in June. Another member of the Urbana City Council, Aaron Ammons, is reportedly exploring a run.  Prussing says she’s not concerned about the number of opponents.

“Anybody can run," she said. "So it doesn’t bother me how many people are running. I’ve been in campaign with maybe four candidates.  So we’ll see.”

Prussing, 75, says she agrees with Marlin on a number of areas, and won’t run a negative campaign.

The mayor also hopes to see the end of a legal dispute with Carle over payment of its property taxes. She says recouping those funds is essential to improving the city’s financial picture. The Illinois Supreme Court is expected to rule on the matter next year.

The general municipal elections are April 4th. There's no word yet on if a Republican will run for mayor.