Batavia swears in new alderman

Robin Barraza came up short during the spring 2021 election when she sought a 7th Ward aldermanic seat on the Batavia City Council.

Mayor Jeff Schielke soon tapped Barraza for an appointment to the Batavia Historic Preservation Commission.

"I have really enjoyed serving on the commission," Barraza said. "It's kept me connected."

So when 7th Ward Alderman Keenan Miller resigned from the council recently, Barraza's connection and interest in city government prompted her to apply for the vacancy.

Aldermen liked what they saw and selected Barraza from a field of four applicants.

Schielke administered the oath of office to Barraza during the city council meeting on Monday.

Barraza joins a 14-member council that includes 7th Ward Alderman Sarah Vogelsinger, her opponent in the 2021 election.

The city's seven wards are each represented by two aldermen. The terms of office are staggered so that half the council is up for election every two years.

Miller was reelected last spring. So Barraza's appointment will last until the spring 2025 election. Vogelsinger's four-year term also expires then.

That means 7th Ward voters will elect two aldermen in the 2025 election, one for a four-year term and the other for two years to fill out Miller's unexpired term of office.

The 7th Ward covers the far west side of the city, including all incorporated areas west of Randall Road and a large area generally west of Millview Drive and south of McKee Street.

Barraza is the owner of an insurance agency in Wheaton.