Edwardsville City Council approves Mayor’s appointment to fill Alderman Jack Burns’ seat

Dr. Hal Patton, who formerly served as the Ward 2 alderman and was a two-term mayor in Edwardsville, was recommended by Mayor Art Risavy and approved by council members to fill the position left vacant with the passing of Jack Burns on Oct. 6. Patton’s appointment fills the position through the end of its four-year term, which ends in April 2025. Patton took the oath of office at the Nov. 7 City Council meeting. (Photo courtesy City of Edwardsville)

The Edwardsville City Council voted Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2023, to seat a Ward 2 alderman to fill the remaining term of Alderman John “Jack” Burns, who died on Friday, Oct. 6, 2023, at the age of 76.

Dr. Hal Patton, who formerly served as the Ward 2 alderman and was a two-term mayor in Edwardsville, was recommended by Mayor Art Risavy to fill the position through the end of the four-year term, which ends in April 2025. Patton took the oath of office at the Nov. 7 City Council meeting.

Patton served as mayor in Edwardsville from 2013 through 2021. He had previously served as the Ward 2 alderman before being elected in 2002 to the Madison County Board. He represented District 17 and then later District 24 before being elected as Edwardsville mayor.

Mayor Risavy cited Patton’s “wealth of knowledge and experience and his dedication to the growth and vitality of Edwardsville” in recommending him to Alderman Burns’ unexpired term. He also noted that Patton had been friends with Jack Burns and encouraged him to seek the Ward 2 seat in 2017. “Given Hal’s friendship with Jack, I believe it would be a fitting way to honor Jack and also allow us to quickly return to full representation with someone who is experienced and knowledgeable of the City’s processes and procedures.”

The procedure for filling a vacancy in an elected office is spelled out in the Illinois statutes. The mayor has 60 days from the date a vacancy occurs to appoint a qualified replacement, which is subject to the approval of the City Council.

The City Council also on Tuesday approved the mayor’s appointments to fill vacancies on the aldermanic committees due to Alderman Burns’ death. The affected committees and their membership are now as follows:

• Public Services Committee: Jennifer Warren, chair; SJ Morrison; Hal Patton
• Finance Committee: Will Krause, chair; Chris Farrar; Andrea Miracle
• Administrative & Community Services Committee: Elizabeth Grant, chair; Will Krause; Andrea Miracle