Harvey Mayor Christopher Clark dies, city officials confirm

Harvey Mayor Christopher J. Clark has died, city officials confirmed Friday.

The city released a statement confirming his death, and adding, "We extend our heartfelt condolences to the Mayor's family, loved ones, and all members of the Harvey community during this difficult time."

City services and operations are not being interrupted by Clark's death, the city said. Officials also asked for the public to respect Clark's family during this time. 

"Mayor Clark was a devoted public servant and a dear personal friend. His integrity, vision and love for the City of Harvey will continue to guide us as we grieve his loss in service to the residents of Harvey, with our hearts foremost with his family," said city attorney Keri-Lyn J. Krafthefer.   

Black and purple bunting was draped outside Harvey's city hall on Friday, and the American flag flew at half-staff. Those who were close to him said his death is a horrible loss.

"It hit pretty personal. Totally unexpected," said former Harvey Ald. Marshun Tolbert. "I think his impact, what he did for the city of Harvey, will be missed; oftentimes misunderstood, but it will be missed."

Cook County Commissioner Dr. Kisha McCaskill lives in Harvey and called Clark's death a "huge loss."

"It is very disheartening and still taken a bit back by it to be perfecting honest," she said. "I'll just be honest, it's just a different parallel, because as a resident, wanting to see certain things happen in the community, but I have such respect for people that sit in their seat."

Tolbert said the last time he saw the mayor was in December.

"He was coughing, but he was totally fine; normal to me. We spent about four hours at city hall just going through some different things," he said.

The Harvey City Council will hold a special meeting Monday at 6 p.m. to appoint an acting mayor in the wake of Clark's death.  Harvey Ald. Shirley Drewenski is the current mayor pro tem.

Clark was first elected mayor of Harvey in 2019. He missed the last Harvey City Council meeting, the first one since mass furloughs were announced, because of health issues, sources told CBS News Chicago. Those sources said Clark had been in and out of the hospital for the last six weeks, with his most recent hospitalization coming just five days ago. 

No further information about his health has been released. 

The city of Harvey has been struggling with financial issues, furloughing nearly half of their city employees last fall.