The City of Champaign City Council Years
It was in 2003, when there was an opening at the Champaign City Council that Rosales decided to run. Rosales became the first Latino ever elected to the City Council of the City of Champaign, and the first Latino elected official in Downstate Illinois.
During Rosales' tenure as a City of Champaign Council Member at-large, many changes have flourished. Some have credited him as being instrumental in influencing and passing ordinances that many perceive as moving our city forward, while not negating the health and welfare of a whole community.
Tom Bruno, another at-large member of the city council, referred to Rosales as "a man of few words," despite what many think about him. "Many meetings would go by where he didn't talk as often as I did," he said. He added, however, that Rosales brought a "unique perspective to the city council."
Rosales said, "Some people have accused me of being anti-business and focused only on the human factor. On the contrary, I am pro-people 'and' pro-business. You see, can't be pro-business without being pro-people because without people, what kind of business would you have?"
The University of Illinois is our city's biggest attraction, it almost precedes the city itself in terms of a 'stand alone' bringing in revenue. Without the university, Champaign would not be the flourishing city it is today.
"The council is instructed to maintain this side of Wright Street to continue to promote growth, growth meaning revenue. Campus town and Research Park are part of maintaining growth, but also the outlining areas of Campus Town. Within the purview of creating a vibrant college community we give incentives to developers to provide the bricks and mortar."
Rosales believes in balance throughout the city. The citizens and the Bricks 'n' Mortar must both have equal benefits in order to succeed and prosper.
"However, the goals driven by city management don't always take in the human factor. That is where I am keenly focused, that is what I am always throwing into the weekly public forums... 'And what about the people? Are their needs and benefits in balance with management driven growth?' Clearly we need to provide incentives, but incentives are a two-way street. Too often the incentive packages are lopsided and benefits won't be realized sometimes for 20 years or beyond. I am 53 years old, I'd like to see something added to the equation that is more immediate and beneficial to the taxpayer, the taxpayer who provides the city management with the ability to offer those incentives. Again, we go back to 'you can't be pro-business without being pro-people because without people, what kind of business would you have?'"
Rosales has been instrumental with introducing ordinances and goals that are not generated by City Management, issues and concerns that are brought forth by the citizens of the community who pay taxes and want to know their voices are being heard.
During Rosales' tenure as a City Council Member at-large, many decisions had to be made.
"The role of a politician is not always a popular one, but it is what it is what it is. I've lost friends and allies on one end, while gaining supporters on the other. I am most impressed when I receive an occasional letter or email that says how vehemently they disagree with this or that and scold me for my decision to vote in favor of it. Then, they close with 'but I respect you and appreciate your honesty'. Though I understand which ever way I vote may upset a certain segment of the community at any given moment, my role as a Council Member at-large is to represent the largest segment and review the pros and cons of those opinions. Political life really boils down to the cliche 'you can't win for losing' so you must believe in your convictions and not be swayed by the unpopularity of your political posture if it truly is made for the benefit of creating a balanced community."
Rosales has also influenced and advocated for the city's Creative Class, a growing population that attracts a commercially viable community. One example is 40 North/88 West Arts, Culture and Entertainment Council of Champaign County, an organization that Rosales was on the ground floor as it was being formed and still maintains an active role as a Board Member.
Jennifer Armstrong, Executive Director of 40 North/88 West said that Rosales can help connect [the council] with the city more, and can serve as a liaison. She added that Rosales helps the council be more aware of what the city is doing in terms of "the Creative Class". Rosales not only advocates for this organization, but is actively involved playing percussions in a Brazilian Jazz group, Desafinado, nominated for WPGU's best local jazz/ blues band for 2006-07.
