New Oakbrook Terrace mayor says council is stripping his power

After eight years of relative political peace in Oakbrook Terrace, a controversy over Mayor-elect Tony Ragucci's appointment power is invoking memories of the city's troubled past.

In a 4-2 vote, aldermen this week approved an ordinance giving the city manager - not the mayor - the ability to select a new police chief and city treasurer. In addition, outgoing Mayor Thomas Mazaika reappointed three people to several committees even though their seats weren't going to expire until June.

Ragucci, who won't be sworn in until next month, says he's disappointed about both moves.

"I think it's a disservice to the people who elected me," he said Wednesday. "They've stripped me of the power that every other mayor has enjoyed, including Mazaika."

Alderman James Bojan, who lost to Ragucci in the April 7 mayoral race, said the reason the council gave more appointment power to the city manager was to take politics out of staffing decisions.

When Oakbrook Terrace was embroiled in political feuds eight years ago, disputes over then-Mayor William Kallas' appointments often highlighted stormy council meetings.

"It's about being able to choose the best possible person for the job," Bojan said of the new local law, "and not having that person feel like he has to function in a political environment."

Ragucci says he doesn't buy Bojan's explanation that Mazaika was working on the proposal for months.

"Let's be realistic," Ragucci said. "If Bojan won the election, this wouldn't be happening. The mayor wouldn't have done this. I don't care what anybody says."

When asked if he was planning any changes, Ragucci said he was considering replacing police Chief Mark Collins because "the department needs new leadership."

Ragucci recently retired after 18 years as an Oakbrook Terrace police officer and served on the city's police pension board until he was elected mayor.

"Am I going to put someone in there who is not qualified? No," he said. "I am the new mayor elected by the people. Give me the opportunity."

It's yet to be seen whether Ragucci will be able to muster enough support to reverse the ordinance.

Bojan, whose term as alderman is coming to an end, says Ragucci should be focusing on helping to maintain the calm on the council.

"The only power we're talking about is saying, 'Here's a name,'" Bojan said. "Power is the seven people working together. That was the message Tom (Mazaika) has fostered since walking in eight years ago."

Ragucci insists he didn't start this fight.

"They said they didn't want to go back to the old days," he said. "Well, guess what? What they are doing with these appointments - not even giving me the opportunity - is worse than it was eight years ago."