Calumet City Gets First Black Deputy Mayor

Thelma Sardin |

On Thursday evening, the Calumet City City Council passed a new ordinance that allows Ald. Brian Wilson of the 4th Ward to run council meeting as the suburbs deputy mayor. According to a recent press release, this is the first time ever, Calumet City will empower a current sitting Alderman to act as deputy mayor. Wilson will retain his right to vote in his capacity as Alderman while he is presiding officer over city council meetings. The role is not new to Ald. Wilson. He had already been filling in as Chairman Pro-Tem for city council meetings in the mayors absence. The ordinance passed the council with a 5-2 vote. Clergy, judges and other officials from all over the south suburbs were present for the historic decision.

Ald. Thaddeus Jones, (3rd) and Chairman of the Ordinances & Resolutions Committee encouraged colleagues to pass the ordinance for the betterment of the city, according to Ald. Wilson.

Ald. Wilson says he is honored to receive the appointment. I appreciate the fact [that] my colleagues had the confidence in me to give me that title, he told the Citizen in a recent phone interview.

This is a critical step, allowing the peoples business to be done in the absence of the Mayor, and it will help the city address critical issues in a timely manner, Wilson stated in the release.

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