Knobel Files to Run For City Council

Though the election isn't until 2013, the race for Highland Park City Council may have already begun.

Business and Economic Development Commissioner (BEDC) Alyssa Knobel has announced the formation of an exploratory committee for the Highland Park City Council race next April.  

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"I've been encouraged to run," Knobel said. "I really started to seriously think about it and talk to people in February… but the encouragement started long before that."

Knobel filed with the State Board of Elections after receiving over $3000 towards her campaign, as required by campaign compliance rules. The contributions -- which Knobel said were all unsolicited -- include $1000 from  and her husband.

"Alyssa is a dear friend and she's also somebody who gets involved up to her eyeballs in the community," Rotering said. She praised Knobel's extensive knowledge of the city and her "boundless energy," citing her recent experience with Highland Park's business owners.

In addition to serving as a chairperson for BEDC, Knobel is a board member of the Downtown Highland Park Alliance and recently worked with them to organize the city's first .

"She's put in 40 hour weeks for months on end to bring together the broad spectrum of businesses and business stake holders in our community," Rotering said.

Prior to her work with Highland Park's businesses, Knobel volunteered for PTA, District 112's strategic plan curriculum committee, the and the (where she's currently a board member).

With a degree in communication from Boston University, Knobel has also worked professionally for advertising companies like BBDO and marketing companies Buster Creative. 

More recently, Knobel has established herself as an effective campaign manager. She coordinated Rotering's successul city council run in 2009 and managed her . She also worked as an aide to Karen May when she against  in 2010.

"Nobody can manage Alyssa Knobel's campaign like Alyssa Knobel," Rotering said.

Though Rotering was quick to point out that Knobel has not officially decided to run yet, Knobel said the chances are slim that she won't be on the ballot next April.

"I need to go through the process of making sure this is the absolute right thing for me and the city," she said.

Knobel said she shares the vision for the city held by the mayor and city council, but also said she feels the city has been "in transition for a while."

"I can hit the ground running. I have that background," Knobel said. "We can't afford to be in transition anymore."

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