Eighth Ward alderman stepping down in Aurora

When Aurora aldermen call for a motion to adjourn next Tuesday's city council meeting, a 76-year family tradition will come to an end.

Eighth Ward Alderman Chris Beykirch is leaving his post after 13 years to assume his newly appointed position as small-business development coordinator at the Aurora Economic Development Commission.

In doing so, he will end a family tradition begun in 1932 when his grandfather, Leonard Reinhardt, joined the East St. Louis City Council. Beykirch's father, Henry Beykirch, served as an alderman in Belleville from 1965 to 2001.

"This is an emotional time to let that all go," Beykirch said Tuesday. "But I'm thrilled to get to work behind the scenes with the commission and help the city in a new way."

During his elected tenure, Beykirch said he most enjoyed his relationship with schools and students, which culminated in an annual grant program to provide enhanced math tutoring to pupils and school supplies to needy children.

"I see those students now in high school and they remember me coming to talk to their elementary classes," he said. "That's neat."

He also points to the 2003 construction of the nearly $400,000 McCoy Drive pedestrian bridge near Steck Elementary School as one of his successes that helped both residents and students.

He's also "very proud" of being one of the city's earliest proponents, in 1998, of the push for construction of a new police headquarters just west of Farnsworth Avenue and Indian Trail.

When he begins his new position on March 17, Beykirch will focus on attracting, promoting and retaining small businesses in the city.

"By definition, almost every business is a small business, so despite the title, it almost encompasses everything in town," he said. "It gives me a broader resume opportunity as well as a new life challenge, so I'm excited."

After Beykirch leaves, Mayor Thomas Weisner will appoint someone, with the support of the city council, to fill the vacancy until the 2009 election.

Beykirch said he has "suggested" two names for Weisner to consider.

"I suspect they'll be the two best candidates to come before the mayor," he said. "Both have broad resumes and are longtime residents with strong volunteerism backgrounds."

In 2009, voters would choose a candidate to fill the remaining two years of Beykirch's term, which expires in 2011.