City Council is Unanimous on Elmhurst's Interim Mayor

By unanimous vote, Elmhurst City Council members elected 5th Ward Alderman Scott Levin interim mayor. He will serve until the April 9 Consolidated Election.

Prior to the vote, the three Elmhurst aldermen who are running for mayor, Diane Gutenkauf (1st Ward), Steve Morley (6th Ward) and Mark Mulliner (7th Ward) declined any nomination.

Third Ward Alderman Michael Bram, who was serving as mayor pro tem Monday, and 1st Ward Alderman Paula Pezza agreed that candidates should not be considered for the interim position.

"I definitely support the fact that mayoral candidates would not be the best option," Pezza said.

Gutenkauf also nominated 4th Ward Alderman Stephen Hipskind. She said she based her nomination on the fact that he is the longest-running alderman who is not running for mayor and that he is chairman of the Finance Committee.

Hipskind declined the nomination, however.

"My work and family life will not allow me to do the job that needs to be done," he said.

Levin, an attorney, launched his own bid for mayor back in 2009, but lost to Peter DiCianni.

Levin was sworn in by city Clerk Patty Spencer. After taking the mayor's seat, he thanked his fellow aldermen for their vote of confidence and allowing him to assume the position.

"I will try to be a very good steward of this position until someone else is elected," he said.

DiCianni also was sworn into his new seat on the DuPage County Board on Monday. He submitted his resignation to the city of Elmhurst the same day.

"Though I look forward to continuing to serve Elmhurst at the county level, it is with a heavy heart I say goodbye to the role of mayor of my beloved Elmhurst," he wrote. "I cherish the time I have spent in the office of mayor and will miss working with my fellow elected officials, City Manager Grabowski and his staff to bring forth vision and leadership for Elmhurst's future."