Tonight the Harvey city council met at a special session to vote on a new mayor to complete the term of late Mayor Clark, but neither of the two candidates received a majority of the vote.
Alderwoman Shirley Drewenksi, who is currently Mayor Pro Term was nominated for consideration. Ald. Dominique Randle-El of the 5th ward submitted his own name for consideration as well. After the vote was taken, neither had the required four vote majority.
There is no required time period in which the vacancy must be filled.
“I think it’s coming, you know, you have to get past some of the issues. Like I said, some of the council members are not thinking straight because they’re still reeling in death,” said Ald. Tyrone Rogers (6th Ward).
This comes at a critical time for the city. Harvey is experiencing accute financial problems and is $150 million in debt. Roughly half of the fire department and a third of the police department personnel have been laid off and numerous other city employees are also furloughed. The city awaits a decision from the Illinois General Assembly to declare it “financially distressed.”
“Desperate time, it’s very sadden time. So this is relatively new to all of us,” said Mayor Pro Tempore Shirley Drewenksi.