West Chicago Welcomes New Aldermen and Celebrates a Full Council Roster
The Oath of Office, administered by the Honorable Judge Bruce Kelsey to three new ward Aldermen in West Chicago, was cause for celebration and a hearty round of applause from friends, family and the public who gathered in the Council Chambers on Monday, May 1, 2017 to witness them being sworn-in to office. "We now have a full Council and I am very proud to welcome them to the team," said Mayor Ruben Pineda who renewed his Oath to serve as Mayor for the next four years, as well.
Joining the City Council for their first four-year term of service are Bonnie Gagliardi in Ward 7 and Michael Ferguson in Ward 3. Heather Brown's appointment to Ward 2 for a two-year term fills a year-long vacancy in that Ward. The following lists a brief background of each new Council member:
Alderman Bonnie Gagliardi proudly represents the residents of West Chicago and will serve on the Development and Public Affairs Committees. She is a former Trustee of the West Chicago Fire Protection District Board. Alderman Gagliardi, her husband and three children have lived in West Chicago since 2002. She has a Bachelor of Science in Marketing and a Master of Business Administration. Her career background includes Sales and Product Management. In her spare time, Alderman Gagliardi enjoys gardening, walking, volunteering at church and watching baseball.
Alderman Michael Ferguson is a third-generation West Chicago resident. He attended grade school at District 33 and graduated West Chicago Community High School. His wife of thirty-nine years is also a lifelong resident and the couple has two adult children. Alderman Ferguson is a United States Navy veteran having served as an aircraft jet engine and fuel system mechanic on the A-6 Intruder at Naval Air Station Oceana, Virginia Beach, VA, and deployed aboard the USS Independence. After separation from active duty he attended College of DuPage and eventually graduated from National-Louis University with a Bachelor of Science in Management. He has worked at various companies in a mechanical engineering capacity. Alderman Ferguson served eight years with the West Chicago Emergency Services and Disaster Agency and most recently five years with the West Chicago Environmental Commission. He will serve on the City's Development and Finance Committees.
Alderman Heather Brown was appointed to represent Ward 2 and will be serving on the Infrastructure and Public Affairs Committees. She grew up in Carol Stream and graduated from West Chicago Community High School. She became a resident in West Chicago with her husband in 2011. Alderman Brown has been active in several sporting events including Chicago Triathlons and charity bike rides for nonprofit organizations. She also participates in a yearly Warrior Dash with her husband. Alderman Brown has volunteered with Habitat for Humanity, rebuilding homes for victims of hurricane Katrina in Mississippi, and with the American Red Cross to help disaster victims in Illinois.
Also sworn-in on Monday night to serve new four-year terms were City Clerk Nancy M. Smith; Alderman Lori Chassee for Ward 1; Alderman Sandy Dimas for Ward 4; Alderman John C. Smith, Jr. for Ward 5; and Alderman George L. Garcia for Ward 6.
To view profiles of each member of the City Council, please visit www.westchicago.org under Government/City Council.