Harvey City Council Delays Decision on New Acting Mayor After Christopher Clark’s Passing

In Harvey, Illinois, the search for a new mayor remains unresolved following a special city council meeting on Monday night. Despite efforts, no candidate secured the essential four votes needed to assume the remaining term of the late Mayor Christopher Clark.

This leadership transition comes during a pivotal moment for the residents of Harvey and the surrounding community, as the city grapples with significant financial challenges.

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At the meeting, council members paused to honor Clark with a moment of silence. His sudden passing early Friday morning has left the community in mourning, and the cause of his death has not been disclosed.

Mayor Clark was serving his second term in office, leading a city with a population slightly exceeding 20,000. He was midway through his tenure, with approximately two years left to serve.

“Mayor Clark was deeply committed to the city of Harvey and the people,” remarked 1st Ward Alderman and Mayor Pro Tempore Drewenski. “His leadership, dedication, and love for our community will not be forgotten.”

Clark’s family attended Monday’s meeting.

“We have endured a great loss to our city but we still envision positive progress for Harvey and we will not be divided,” said Harvey resident Ruby Donahue.

The mayor was also a father and grandfather. He missed the most recent City Council meeting, and friends say he may have been ill at that time, but few suspected anything serious.

“Most of the council members, they’re not thinking straight because they’re still reeling in death of our beloved mayor,” said 6th Ward Ald. Tyrone Rogers.

A memorial to Clark now sits inside Harvey’s City Hall.

And as residents called for unity in the path forward, Harvey leadership remained divided over two alderpersons nominated to take over: Drewenski, and 5th Ward Ald. Dominique Randle-El.

No nominee received the required four affirmative votes necessary for appointment. As a result, Drewenski will continue to serve as mayor pro tempore.

“That means our mayor pro tem continues until such time as the city council meets again and in open meeting nominates someone who receive four votes,” said Harvey City Attorney Keri-Lyn Krafthefer.

Clark’s passing comes as the town of Harvey has been dealing with a financial crisis. It is in debt by more than $150 million and has been forced to lay off many city workers, including more than half of the fire department employees and over a third of the police.

It is a stressful time for the city’s elected leaders, who have appealed to the federal and state governments for help.

They are now waiting on the General Assembly to approve Harvey’s application to be declared “financially distressed.” The designation would free up desperately needed emergency funding.

“We can power through challenging times. We’re still standing. And we would want to carry forth Mayor Clark’s legacy to make sure that the people of Harvey have streets, lights, curbs, sidewalks, police and fire protection. That was his mantra to all of us and we want to keep that going forward,” Krafthefer said.

Alderpersons will get another chance to vote at the next special city council meeting. It is still unclear when that meeting will be held.

Should one of the six alderpersons who serve on the council receive the required four votes and be appointed acting mayor, that individual will be required to either resign from their aldermanic seat, allowing the city council to appoint a replacement or leave the seat vacant for the remainder of the term until the next election, Harvey officials said.

The video in the player above is from a previous report.