Illness forcing Aurora mayor to step down early

Three-term Aurora Mayor Tom Weisner will step down Oct. 30, saying his long-running battle with cancer has taken a toll and he no longer can meet his job expectations.

He announced his decision Thursday.

Weisner, who has served as mayor of the state's second-largest city for 11½ years and would be 67 at the end of his term, announced in May he would not seek re-election next April. Four candidates - Richard Irvin, Linda Chapa LaVia, Rick Guzman and Mike Saville - already are campaigning for the post.

State law makes the city council responsible for selecting an acting mayor from among its members to fill the remainder of Weisner's term. The city's lawyers are expected to provide the council with further direction when it meets Sept. 6.

In a written statement, Weisner said he decided to step down "with considerable reluctance, as I have dearly loved my job as mayor of this wonderful city that opened its arms to me and my wife some 43 years ago."

Weisner said he has been dealing with cancer for most of his tenure.

"Despite regular chemotherapy," he said, "I have been able to fully function within our 'strong mayor' form of government, which unlike most cities, includes the day-to-day management of city operations, as well as the other duties most mayors perform.

"I have recently begun to feel that I cannot continue to perform at the level I expect of myself and I do not wish to remain as mayor if I can't."

Weisner said he's proud of the work he did facing the "stimulating challenge" of leading Aurora through the Great Recession.

"I am most thankful for both that honor and that challenge, for this has caused me to try to operate consistently at my very best," he said in the statement. "No doubt, I haven't always succeeded, but as Theodore Roosevelt might say, I have been blessed to be 'the man in the arena.'"

Ward 8 Alderman Rick Mervine said Weisner's leadership provided a steadying hand through the economic downturn, even when he had to eliminate more than 100 jobs and restructure the city staff.

"Even during the Great Recession we just went through, this city was still bringing in new businesses, still adding jobs," Mervine said.

Weisner's strong suits, Mervine said, centered on economic development, public safety improvements and financial oversight.

"Certainly he's accomplished more than can be expected of a mayor," he said. "He's pretty much transformed Aurora."

Naperville Mayor Steve Chirico praised Weisner's work at downtown revitalization and intergovernmental collaboration, saying he's been a strong partner for his entire tenure.

"The city of Naperville and the people of Aurora are very lucky we've had such a good person running the ship," Chirico said.

Positive changes in the city have come as a result of staff members and aldermen working together with a willingness to keep "the best interests of all of Aurora's people at heart," Weisner said.

Weisner ran unopposed when he was elected to his third term in April 2013.

In listing his accomplishments, he has pointed to the revitalization of the city's riverfront - including creation of RiverEdge Park - promotion of improved development practices, and reductions in crime.

Before being elected mayor, Weisner spent nearly 20 years overseeing a variety of city operations, including emergency management, public properties and organizational development.

Before becoming active in the city, he and his wife, Marilyn, served in the Peace Corps, assisting rain forest dwellers in the highlands of Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands.

"I do not know what the future brings," Weisner said, "or how long my future will be. When you think about it, none of us really does. To the extent the Good Lord will abide me, I will continue to work toward what I believe in, though in a more measured way."