Batavia City Council swears in new alderman

Newly appointed Batavia Alderman Kevin Malone was sworn in Monday by Mayor Jeffery Schielke at a city council meeting.

Malone was appointed to fill the vacant Third Ward seat left by Dan Chanzit’s resignation on July 1 to focus on his business endeavors. Chanzit served on the council for 14 years.

Malone will serve on the council until the April 2025 election. He would have to run for reelection to keep the Third Ward seat.

Malone’s appointment came at the July 30 committee of the whole meeting where council members interviewed three candidates before ultimately choosing Malone.

While Schielke holds the right to appoint a replacement on his own and seek confirmation from the aldermen, he uses a system in which the appointee is selected by a majority vote of the council. In an open session, applicants are interviewed by the council members, who then make the final decision in an executive session.

Malone has lived in Batavia for six years with his wife Jennifer and their two children. He teaches mediation at Aurora University, works as a mediator for the DuPage County Family Center and has a master’s degree in conflict resolution.

“I plan to bring a listening ear that hears a diverse collection of residents to the board,” Malone said during his opening comments at the July 30 meeting. “I bring expertise in collaborative problem-solving ... That’s what I do.”

This is Malone’s first time holding public office.

“I am looking forward to the opportunity,” Malone said after his appointment. “I think it’s going to be exciting and eye-opening, and I think I have a good head on my shoulders for navigating the challenges that will be coming up.”

While Malone said he has no immediate agenda, some of his long-term goals include orienting Batavia to multimodal transportation, fostering sustainable and thoughtful growth and development, and honoring the city’s legacy by integrating access to the river and nature into the city.