Naperville's Wehrli serves last council meeting
Grant Wehrli walked out of the Naperville City Council chambers Tuesday having served his last meeting as a member of the panel.
Carrying with him the nameplate that marked his seat on the dais, Wehrli got one step closer to beginning his term as the 41st District state representative.
Wehrli will resign from the council effective Jan. 14 - the same day he will be sworn in as a state legislator.
"Grant Wehrli is an extremely valued member of our council," Mayor George Pradel said Tuesday. "We look forward to his continued service in the new role in Springfield."
Pradel proclaimed Wednesday as "Grant Wehrli Day in Naperville" to thank the exiting council member for his nine years as a city leader in Naperville, attending hundreds of meetings and workshops and reviewing 1,830 ordinances and 554 resolutions.
With many members of Wehrli's immediate and extended family in the audience, Pradel also thanked Wehrli for his service with the Riverwalk Commission, Naper Settlement and the Naperville Education Foundation, among several other boards and commissions.
Wehrli took the proclamation of a day in his honor and referenced Wednesday's school cancellations because of predicted extreme cold, saying "in honor of it being Grant Wehrli Day tomorrow, no school!"
He then gave a more serious acceptance speech.
"It's been an honor to serve under your leadership on the city council and I've worked with some fine council men and women during my tenure here," Wehrli told Pradel. "I've learned something from every one of them that I will take with me."
The city council will have 60 days from the date Wehrli's resignation becomes effective to choose someone to fill his spot until the next council is seated after the April 7 election. That means the council has until March 15 to act.
"I love doing this on behalf of the residents of Naperville," Wehrli said about holding public office. "I look forward to going to work for all of you in Springfield."