Chanzit is Batavia's new 3rd Ward alderman

Dan Chanzit was sworn in Monday night as Batavia's newest 3rd Ward alderman.

He replaces Cathy Barnard, who resigned in April when she moved to Elburn.

Chanzit will serve until the end of April 2011, when Barnard's term expires.

There were two applicants for the post: Chanzit and Jan Magree.

"I would tell you it was about as close a vote as you could possibly get," Mayor Jeff Schielke said.

The city council interviewed Chanzit and Magree in an open meeting May 4, then discussed them behind closed doors Monday night. The mayor is responsible for making appointments on aldermanic vacancies but chose to defer to the council, which took a straw poll in the closed session.

Chanzit was immediately sworn in by Kane County Circuit Court Associate Judge Kevin Busch and took his seat between 2nd Ward Alderman Alan Wolff and 4th Ward Alderman Tom Schmitz.

"We're going to give you the opportunity tonight to really hit the ground running," Schielke said.

Chanzit, who is single, lives on the 500 block of Peebles Court. He is a former journalist and is now a banker with Chase. He had applied in February for the 3rd Ward vacancy left by the death of Linnea Miller; that post was filled by Janet Jungels.