Newly elected officials were sworn in during a ceremony at West Chicago Community High School on May 5. Attendees included returning members of the City Council, newly elected aldermen, and newly elected Mayor Dan Bovey. The meeting that followed drew a crowd of nearly 200 people and lasted until 10:30 p.m., ending not with a vote, but due to the city’s time limit on meetings.
After the speech was over and the swearing-in ceremonies were complete, the City Council meeting commenced. Bovey began by pulling an item off the agenda – an action that immediately drew objections. Returning alderman for Ward Two, Heather Brown, stated that the mayor’s actions were “illegal” and called for the city’s legal analyst to review them. Bovey responded by calling on Jeffrey Jacobson, now appointed as the interim city attorney, who stated the action was legal under Illinois state law.
Bovey then declared vacancies in three positions: city administrator, city attorney, and police chief. He announced interim appointments for each: Tia Messino as interim city administrator, Jeffrey Jacobson as interim city attorney, and Colin Fleury, who remains in the role of police chief. Bovey argued that these appointments expired with former Mayor Ruben Pineda’s term and therefore required reappointment.
Several aldermen objected, and some called for a “point of order” – an inquiry in a formal meeting to determine whether proper procedure was being followed. Former city attorney Bond disagreed with the appointments and offered a different interpretation of city code, while Jacobson cited legal precedent in defense of the mayor’s actions.
Audience members also responded. “What a bunch of losers,” one unidentified attendee said.
After comments like this were made by both aldermen and audience members, Bovey reminded the room to “keep it civil, please.”
As the meeting continued, Bovey also addressed the future of Police Chief Colin Fleury, stating that about 95% of the residents with whom he spoke during the campaign expressed support for the chief. Fleury, who is currently out of office until May 7, was reportedly informed in advance that he would be retained in the role.
Bovey added that in the weeks leading up to the meeting, he attempted to contact members of the City Council to discuss upcoming decisions, but most did not respond. Newly elected Alderman Carlos Avina Soto echoed that experience, saying he, too, reached out with little success.
During the discussion, Alderman Sandy Dimas remarked that “they” had not expected Bovey to be allowed to take office due to unpaid city fines related to the greenhouse case. Bovey responded that he had paid the fines in advance, even though the case remains under appeal.
After five failed motions to adjourn, the meeting concluded automatically at 10:30 p.m., which is the legal limit for council meetings under municipal code. The City Council is expected to reconvene on May 19 to continue discussing unresolved matters.
Earlier in the evening, the reception and swearing-in ceremony took place in the cafeteria at West Chicago Community High School to accommodate the expected number of attendees. The ceremony occurred just under five weeks after the municipal election. Judge Bonnie. M. Wheaton administered the oath of office to all newly elected officials, including a separate swearing-in for Bovey.
Bovey began the night by thanking the people of West Chicago and recalling memories of family train rides to Portland, describing the sense of community he experienced.
“My question is, what is it that unites us?” Bovey said.
He went on to talk about the three fundamental values he believed brought the people of West Chicago together: the need for community, safety, and a legacy for future generations.
“We may not always agree, but I believe we have more in common than what divides us,” Bovey said.
