Retired teacher to serve rest of vacant W. Chicago council term

The West Chicago City Council appointed a retired school teacher and longtime resident Monday to fill the seat vacated by 2nd Ward Alderman Greg Kauth.

James Smith, a 47-year resident of West Chicago, will serve the remainder of Kauth's term, which expires in April 2009.

Kauth, who had served on the city council for five years, resigned in February to take a promotion as a shipping manager for General Electric in Houston.

He had served as chairman of the community affairs committee and also served on both the city council's finance committee and youth commission.

Smith said he was approached by Kauth, his former neighbor, earlier this year and urged to consider taking the city council position.

Smith, who has no past political experience, has spent his 38-year teaching career working for St. Charles Unit District 303, and last taught at Thompson Middle School.

He said he had no preconceived notions or agendas he was hoping to accomplish in his new role as alderman.

"I thought with my newly acquired free time, I could do some good work for the community," Smith said.

Smith will need to run for re-election in April 2009 to keep his seat.