URBANA – Laurel Prussing is a known quantity in Urbana, with a political resume that dates back nearly four decades.

But that hasn't stopped three relative newcomers from aggressively challenging her for mayor, in a race that started slow but is heating up.

A 68-year-old Democrat, Prussing was at one time viewed as almost invincible politically. She served four years on the county board from 1972 to '76 and then won four terms as county auditor, where she delighted in pointing out wasteful county spending. She moved on to the Illinois House, winning one term in a Republican-leaning district before losing in 1994 to Rick Winkel, a Champaign Republican.

She then spent a decade in the political wilderness. She lost bids for Congress in 1996 and 1998 against Republican Tom Ewing and fell in the Democratic primary in 2000 to Mike Kelleher in a third try for Congress. She lost another race in 2002, when Naomi Jakobsson defeated her in the Democratic primary for an Illinois House seat.

But she emerged victorious again in 2005, when she was able to parlay intraparty dissatisfaction with three-term Mayor Tod Satterthwaite into a Democratic primary triumph. She was unopposed in the general election.

She now faces three challengers in the April 7 general election: Republican Rex Bradfield, Green Party candidate Durl Kruse and independent Rob McColley.

Seldom at a loss for words, Prussing said she recognizes the election will be a referendum on her first term – a prospect that doesn't bother her.

"I think the main difference between the candidates is I've really accomplished things and they're talking about things," Prussing said.

She points to a 27 percent decline in the city's overall crime rate during her tenure and the hiring of five additional police officers, the economic revitalization of the South Philo Road corridor, the city's lack of bond debt, a slight lowering of the city's property tax rate and not having to slash the city budget this coming fiscal year in spite of the national recession.

"I don't see how people can be criticizing Urbana," Prussing said. "We've had a great four years on economic development."

Her opponents aren't so generous.

They criticize her for not reappointing former Chief Administrative Officer Bruce Walden two years ago and never naming a replacement, instead taking the hands-on duties of running city government herself.

Bradfield questions a generous three-year contract her administration negotiated and approved with unionized firefighters that created 15 new positions within the department – all filled from within the ranks – that gave those being promoted a midyear salary increase in January.

"The policeman's union, they're going to ask for the same thing," Bradfield said. "Then you've got the municipal workers. It's your duty to stand for taxpayers, first and foremost."

Kruse, a 59-year-old retired school administrator, wants a grass-roots-influenced government that emphasizes "citizen empowerment."

He wants increased city funding for social needs, such as creating an offender re-entry program, and summer youth programs.

"I want to bring a different tone and leadership style to city government," Kruse said. "I want to build community governance and input, where people become a part of solving the problems."

McColley is unhappy with how the city enforces nuisance complaints, such as barking dogs and loud mufflers, saying he doesn't like that the city sometimes forces neighbors to testify against neighbors.

He supports more bicycle lanes on secondary streets but questions the need for bike lanes on Main Street and South Philo Road.

It's shaping up into an interesting race.

Bradfield, a 62-year-old engineer and land surveyor, has loaned his campaign $25,000 and says he expects to spend as much as $40,000.

His campaign theme is "Bradfield Means Business." He says he wants to make it "attractive for businesses to come to Urbana."

Bradfield's campaign proposals include amending city development codes to make them more flexible, saying that when two city codes overlap now, the city always goes with the stricter interpretation. That increases business start-up costs substantially, he said.

He also wants to relax parking requirements for new development and to have the city take over management of stormwater detention facilities from homeowners' associations and commercial property owners.

"It's better to have the city do it," he said. "Private owners won't do it.

"They ignore maintenance and the pipes become filled and by then the developer is long gone and you're looking at a lawsuit."

Developers could be charged a one-time up-front fee to use city regional stormwater facilities, which would have to be developed, or developers could build their own detention facilities and turn them over to the city, he said.

Brad Bennett, a civil engineer with Urbana's Public Works Department, said he knows of no city in East Central Illinois that maintains stormwater detention facilities, though he said the practice is found in some Southern and Western cities.

He predicted Urbana would need an annual fee to take over detention basin maintenance, which he said is labor-intensive and involves mowing, aquatic weed control and erosion control.

Bradfield also wants to create a historic preservation fund that would be used to pay a property owner the fair market value of the owner's home in cases where the city council has declared a house a city landmark against the owner's wishes and the owner wants to sell.

"That makes it a little harder (for the council) to call something historic," he said, citing a controversial case in which the city declared a home at 508 W. Elm St. a landmark when the owner already had signed a contract to sell the home to an apartment developer. A preservation group later bought the home.

The city should also agree to rebate property taxes to the owner of a landmark home in return for the owner maintaining the home to city historic standards, Bradfield said.

Prussing points to her record during her first term, which included the creation of a public arts commission, a civilian police review board to hear citizen complaints against police, and a sustainability advisory commission to help guide the city reduce fossil fuel use.

Other accomplishments included the January 2007 passage of a rental registration program, where land- lords pay a fee of $40 per apartment building and $10 per unit.

The city has used that income to hire another inspector for rental properties and, for the first time, to begin inspections of rental homes and duplexes.

Prussing also notes the redevelopment of South Philo Road, with the fall opening of a Meijer store and other developments, including the Pines at Stone Creek Crossing shopping center, a new Walgreens and The Pointe at U of I luxury apartment complex.

Prussing said she's improved the tone of city government.

"We quit all the stupid, idiotic fighting that just dragged the city down and made city council members not want to run again," said Prussing, who intends to spend about $15,000 on her campaign.

Kruse charges that Prussing hasn't been willing to listen to residents, citing her vigorous and successful campaigns to keep advisory questions on instant-runoff elections off the ballot.

Prussing did that by having Democrats outnumber Greens at annual town meetings where advisory questions can be placed on the ballot by majority vote.

Kruse wants the city to dig deeper and increase social service funding, beyond the $288,000 in social service grants the city and Cunningham Township already provide.

"The budget allocations for fire, police and capital improvements continually increase over time, where the social services component has remained relatively stagnant," he said.

He wants to see city funding for an offender re-entry program that would provide financial assistance, training and support for convicts being released into the commu- nity.

A restorative justice program where offenders and crime victims would meet and try and make amends also should be implemented, he said.

The city also should hire a social services specialist who can take a hard look at unmet social needs in the city and try to find programs and grant funding to fill them, Kruse said.

He'd also like to see monthly open meetings between city officials and residents, broadcast on Urbana Public Television.

Another concern, Kruse said, is jump-starting downtown redevelopment and implementing the city's 2002 downtown plan.

McColley, a 38-year-old nonpracticing attorney who has also worked as a bartender and musician, says his top priority would be to hire an administrative officer.

He said to accomplish that the city might need to offer a multiyear contract, instead of the current practice of reappointing top officials on a yearly basis.

An independent, McColley said he also wants the city to focus on redeveloping the downtown and to respect the wishes of most downtown business owners and not install bicycle lanes on Main Street.

He also questions the new bicycle lanes on South Philo Road.

"I ride my bike everywhere," he said. "As a cyclist, I don't use major streets because there's a lot of people talking on cell phones when they're driving."

McColley said he thinks the city's liquor license fees are excessive and he would work to reduce them.

He also thinks the city's human rights ordinance should be amended to give landlords the right to refuse to rent to someone based on a prior conviction.

McColley said he expects to spend about $2,000 on his campaign.

He said he is campaigning full time and has 10 to 15 friends and family working on his behalf.

Meet the candidates

REX BRADFIELD

Age: 62

Address: 2101 Pond St.

Party: Republican

Occupation: Engineer and land surveyor

Political experience: Ran for state representative against state Rep. Naomi Jakobsson, D-Urbana, and Green Party candidate Tom Abram in 2006. Finished a distant second.

Web site: www.bradfieldformayor.com

Five issues

Do city codes need to be updated or rewritten to encourage more economic development? Be specific.

"All development codes need to be reviewed to remove overlapping codes that are costly and sometimes interfere with the intent of the codes. Unnecessary codes should be replaced with dovetailed codes that allow business flexibility while still protecting the general public."

The city spends $218,000 on social service grants and Cunningham Township another $70,000. Does the city need to spend more, or less, on social services? Why?

"In a recession, social services become more important. Spending should be carefully determined to give the most effective help for the least dollars. All attempts should be made to assist the re-formation of the Urban League to provide nonprofit help to those in strained circumstances."

City crime is down 27 percent over the past four years, according to Police Chief Mike Bily. Does more still need to be done to fight crime? Specifically, what crimes and what areas of the city need more attention?

"Any crime needs to be addressed; none is insignificant. The southeast Urbana area has seen an increase in all types of crime, and that area must be addressed as it is a business hub also. A police substation in that area would significantly reduce the crime and response time."

Does the city need to do more to keep its downtown vital?

"The downtown area can only thrive if high-paying professional jobs are created in both downtown and eastern Urbana areas. Workers will then frequent the shops in downtown when going to work, leaving work and eating lunch. Jobs are the key to downtown revitalization, with major changes to Lincoln Square being an absolute necessity."

Does the city need to hire an administrative officer? Why? What would your deadline be for hiring someone?

"The city codes require an administrative officer, and that office must be filled. I would immediately hire an administrative officer from within existing city staff. The delay caused by the failure of the present mayor has affected the credibility and stability appearance of the city to prospective large businesses."

DURL KRUSE

Age: 59

Address: 2007 George Huff Drive

Party: Green

Occupation: Retired school administrator

Political experience: Ran for city council Ward 7 seat in 2005 as a Democrat, lost in primary.

Web site: www.electkruse.org

Five issues

Do city codes need to be updated or rewritten to encourage more economic development? Be specific.

"I would be hesitant to tinker with the codes without getting informed input from those impacted by the codes. Possibly some codes are antiquated and in need of updating and revision. But, in any case, the process of review should be deliberate and cautious."

The city spends $218,000 on social service grants and Cunningham Township another $70,000. Does the city need to spend more, or less, on social services? Why?

"Clearly the city needs to give more attention to the social needs of its citizens. The economic recession has created a crisis of survival for many people. A modest three-tenths of a percent of the city's budget increase in social services spending is one place to start."

City crime is down 27 percent over the past four years, according to Police Chief Mike Bily. Does more still need to be done to fight crime? Specifically, what crimes and what areas of the city need more attention?

"Much more needs to be done to fight crime, but the city's approach should be comprehensive rather than just hiring additional police officers. Ideas such as offender re-entry programs, restorative justice efforts, summer youth programs, and more vocational and job training programs should be encouraged and supported by the city."

Does the city need to do more to keep its downtown vital?

"Downtown is the 'heart' of Urbana. The city needs to refocus its time, energy and resources on downtown. As mayor I would form strong collaborative networks with the Urbana Business Association, financial institutions, developers and other stakeholders to begin implementation of the 2002 Downtown Strategic Plan."

Does the city need to hire an administrative officer? Why? What would your deadline be for hiring someone?

"The city needs to hire a CAO as soon as possible, but hopefully no later than nine months ... with the expertise, background, and experience in city government to help manage the city. I would place a strong emphasis on this person being the 'point' person for coordinating and assisting with the economic development efforts of the city."

ROB McCOLLEY

Age: 38

Address: 503 W. Illinois St.

Party: Independent

Occupation: Full-time mayoral candidate. Nonpracticing attorney.

Political experience: None

Web site: www.robmccolley.com

Five issues

Do city codes need to be updated or rewritten to encourage more economic development? Be specific.

"I met two voters who want simple, cheap improvements for storm sewers that fill up with leaves and bracken every time there's a big rain.I met two different voters (on the same day) who said their inspections were simultaneously officious and inadequate; and very possibly steering work toward particular contractors."

The city spends $218,000 on social service grants and Cunningham Township another $70,000. Does the city need to spend more, or less, on social services? Why?

"Charitable spending comes from the discretionary budget. The reserve fund is down by 67 percent in four years. Where's the extra money coming from? You can't lower it, because the agencies already rely on it."

City crime is down 27 percent over the past four years, according to Police Chief Mike Bily. Does more still need to be done to fight crime? Specifically, what crimes and what areas of the city need more attention?

"The voters of east & southeast Urbana aren't buying it. Here's what I heard on ...

"East Fairlawn: 'Can't get theft insurance on her car after five burglaries.'

"Rainbow View: 'Police cruise her street only when she calls them.'

"South Anderson: 'Homeowners in my area are concerned about the rise in crime and vandalism that we have not seen for the past 30 years.'"

Does the city need to do more to keep its downtown vital?

"Respect the opinions of shop owners regarding parking and streetscape plans. They are NOT pleased. Lower liquor license fees at least to Champaign's level. The generated sales tax easily recoups the lost license revenue."

Does the city need to hire an administrative officer? Why? What would your deadline be for hiring someone?

"Yes. It's the law. Since Hiram Paley led the drive to professionalize city government, Urbana has had a nonpolitical CAO. It's not hard to find a good one. But Ms. Prussing is unwilling to offer a contract. No top professional is going to give up job security elsewhere if she or he can be fired capriciously here."

LAUREL PRUSSING

Age: 68

Address: 2106 Grange Drive

Party: Democrat

Occupation: Mayor of Urbana. Former community organizer.

Political experience: Champaign County Board member, 1972-76. Champaign County auditor, 1976-92. Illinois House, 1993-95. Mayor of Urbana, May 2005-present. Ran twice for Congress in 1996 and '98.

Web site: www.laurelprussing.com

Five issues

Do city codes need to be updated or rewritten to encourage more economic development? Be specific.

"Urbana follows internationally accepted building codes, as does Champaign. We want high quality, sustainable economic development. Weakening our building codes would be counterproductive. Over the past four years, we have attracted significant development. Several major projects (Menards and Carle Foundation Hospital) are on hold until the national economy improves."

The city spends $218,000 on social service grants and Cunningham Township another $70,000. Does the city need to spend more, or less, on social services? Why?

"Urbana will continue to support social service agencies to the extent we can afford. We recognize the value of these agencies to those they serve directly and to all of us as a civilized society. The amounts are allocated by averaging the priorities of the council members and mayor."

City crime is down 27 percent over the past four years, according to Police Chief Mike Bily. Does more still need to be done to fight crime? Specifically, what crimes and what areas of the city need more attention?

"We achieved dramatic crime reduction by hiring five more police officers and by taking slumlords to court. Our emphasis has been on improving the management of large apartment complexes. Crime can happen anywhere, and city resources will be devoted to whatever area ... needs extra attention."

Does the city need to do more to keep its downtown vital?

"We will continue to bring in new businesses ... . We completed a Boneyard Creek plan and are working on two properties, a former gas station and a former dry cleaning establishment, to be redeveloped for residential and commercial use by meeting EPA standards, a long process."

Does the city need to hire an administrative officer? Why? What would your deadline be for hiring someone?

"We are seeking a qualified person. There is a national shortage, and some California cities have gone for years without someone. Setting a deadline and hiring a warm body to meet that deadline makes no sense. I have taken on the responsibilities in the meantime and saved taxpayers $300,000."