Elgin renames municipal complex after longtime councilman
Former Elgin Councilman Robert “Bob” Gilliam never failed to be selfless, seek consensus and, above all, love the city of Elgin.
For those reasons and many more, officials said, Elgin's city hall and municipal complex was renamed Thursday after the 69-year-old, who many around town call a legend.
Gilliam served on the city council for 40 years until he lost his re-election bid in 2013. His tenure is the longest in the city's history, and possibly in the state, city officials said. He is also the city's first black council member.
Gilliam disclosed he suffered a stroke and a heart attack two months ago.
He sat in a wheelchair flanked by his wife Marianne, a blanket and a scarf shielding him from the day's unseasonably cold weather. Family and friends came from Arizona, Michigan, Florida, Wisconsin and North Carolina to attend the ceremony.
“It's a good day to be alive for the last two months,” he said.
Gilliam always worried about Elgin as if it were his own child, former Mayor Ed Schock said.
“What separates Bob from most of us is the deepest love for Elgin that I have ever seen,” Schock said. “This man absolutely loves this city.”
He was also mindful of building consensus among council members — if not all, at least a majority, Schock said.
“'Make sure you can count to four,'” Schock recalled Gilliam saying, referring what used to be a majority on the city council before there were nine members. “'You can't achieve anything by yourself.”
Former councilman Juan Figueroa said Gilliam always lent him support and guidance.
“I found in Mr. Gilliam a real mentor,” he said. “I could not ask for more of a role model and source of inspiration, information and experience.”
Gilliam graduated from Elgin High School in 1963 and later worked for 34 years as an educator for Elgin Area School District U-46.
He recalled growing up on Fremont Street in Elgin, and stuffing cardboard in his worn shoes because he couldn't afford new soles.
“I'm here to show you that Elgin is a good town,” he said.
His legacy is tangible, state Sen. Michael Noland said, pointing to Festival Park, the Centre of Elgin, the water treatment plant, and other amenities built during Gilliam's tenure.
“These are things you can actually see. These are things that affect our lives,” he said.
The city council unanimously voted for the renaming after Councilwoman Tish Powell urged her colleagues to “think big” to honor Gilliam, City Manager Sean Stegall said.
Gilliam is a truly selfless public servant, who always focused on what mattered and never stopped learning, Stegall said.
He also imparted practical advice, such as “Dress for the job you want, not the job you have,'” Stegall said.
Gilliam said it's OK to argue among council members — and remain friends in the process — as long as everyone's goal is what's best for Elgin.
“I've loved Elgin my entire life,” he said. “Today, Elgin loved me back.”