Harvey City Council appoints Shirley Drewenski as acting mayor in unanimous vote

The City Council in Harvey, Illinois, appointed its acting mayor one month after the death of the late Mayor Christopher Clark.

Ald. Shirley Drewenski (1st Ward), now acting mayor, was elected following a unanimous vote during Monday night's meeting. She was officially sworn in to finish out Clark's term until next year.

It's a position she said she accepts with a heavy heart.

"It is difficult to accept this role because we were so close, and he should be standing before you," she said.

She will take the place of former Harvey Mayor Christoper Clark, who died late last month, unexpectedly. The cause of his death still has not been revealed. Since his passing, Drewenski had been serving as mayor pro tempore.

"I accept this responsibility with humility and a deep sense of duty to the residents of Harvey. Our focus remains on stability, transparency, and continuing the work of city government while honoring the legacy of Mayor Christopher Clark," she said.

As business moves along in Harvey, Drewenski must continue to deal with layoffs, financial ruins and the ongoing push to get the state to accept the city as a financially distressed city. 

"So, Wednesday, I'm told I will find out more information, and then it will go to the Senate committee," she said.

And while the city embraces the new acting mayor, Drewenski was the tie-breaker vote to put Janet Rogers as Harvey's city clerk. 

The position opened in January with a resignation. Rogers' appointment comes with controversy.

She's the wife of the current Ald. Tyrone Rogers (6th Ward) and was previously convicted of fraud. 

Former Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn granted her a pardon in 2013. Drewenski said her past was not a factor.

"Not at all, expunge is expunged. So, today's forward speaking on my decision, I have no concern whatsoever. In addition, the two roles between an alderman and a clerk do not intertwine, so there is no conflict there," she said.

Plenty of residents and some council members felt Janet should not have been picked due to her criminal past. 

As acting mayor, Drewenski will not only serve out Clark's term but will get his bump in pay.

When asked if she would keep her current alderman salary, considering the city's financial burdens, she said, "Absolutely not."