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Sayad welcomes motorists to Des Plaines

Des Plaines acting Mayor Dick Sayad’s smiling face on an electronic billboard off the westbound Jane Addams Tollway will welcome motorists to the city for at least another two weeks.

“Of course I’m happy about it,” said 4th Ward Alderman Sayad, who was sworn in as acting mayor Feb. 19 and said he didn’t ask for the honor. “I just think that it’s a nice way to welcome (people) to Des Plaines. In two weeks, it will be taken down, and we’ll get the next guy up.”

Sayad said having the mayor’s picture flash on the electronic billboard for a few seconds in between other advertisements isn’t costing the city because the owner donates the space as a community service.

The billboard had former Des Plaines Mayor Marty Moylan’s face welcoming visitors to town until mayoral hopeful and 6th Ward Alderman Mark Walsten asked city staff to update it.

Moylan stepped down Dec. 31 to be sworn in as state representative in the 55th House District in January.

Two other sitting aldermen — Mike Charewicz (8th Ward) and Patti Haugeberg (1st Ward) — already served as acting mayor for short stints after Moylan’s departure.

Sayad, who ran unsuccessfully in a four-way race for mayor in 2009, will serve as acting mayor until April 15, at which time another alderman will be chosen to serve until a new mayor is sworn in on May 6.

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