Tom Weisner
Tom Weisner | |
---|---|
Mayor of Aurora, Illinois | |
In office April 26, 2005 – November 1, 2016 | |
Preceded by | David Stover |
Succeeded by | Bob O'Connor |
Personal details | |
Born | Batavia, Illinois, U.S. | October 6, 1949
Died | December 28, 2018 Aurora, Illinois, U.S. | (aged 69)
Political party | Democratic |
Spouse |
Marilyn (m. 1972) |
Residence | Aurora, Illinois |
Alma mater | Aurora University |
Tom Weisner (October 6, 1949 – December 28, 2018) was an American politician. He became the mayor of Aurora, Illinois, beginning in April 2005. Prior to his election he worked for over eighteen years in high-ranking positions in the city of Aurora and for five years as a volunteer in the Peace Corps.
Weisner was re-elected twice, in 2009 and 2013, serving as mayor until his resignation on October 30, 2016, due to his declining health. He had been diagnosed with cancer two years into his first of three terms as mayor. He died of cancer-related complications on December 28, 2018.
Background
Weisner was a native of Batavia, Illinois, but moved to Aurora thirty years before becoming a political candidate.[1][2] Weisner had been married to Marilyn Hogan Weisner since 1972.[3] The Weisners raised two sons; Thaddeus, who died in 2006, and Anthony.[4] Weisner earned his bachelor's degree from Aurora University in organizational management.[5]
Prior to becoming an Aurora city employee in 1986, Weisner worked in the private sector and spent five years in the
Weisner had held several department head positions in Aurora since beginning his first position as emergency service coordinator in January 1986.
Weisner served as a delegate to the 2012 Democratic National Convention.[14]
Campaign
In November 2002, two-term incumbent David Stover announced he would not seek re-election. In May 2003, Weisner announced he would run for election in the February 22, 2005 municipal primary election.[1] Weisner announced his candidacy for mayor almost two years before the election, in order to solidify his base of support, which might have gone to other potential candidates if he waited.[1] Eventually, a final field of five contested for the two spots on the ballot for the April 5, 2005 general election, but Weisner had endorsements from eight of the twelve city council members and a huge funding advantage.[11][15]
In the first Aurora mayoral race without an
Mayor
During the first few weeks of his tenure as mayor, he made national news by considering passing an ordinance against untimely holiday decorations, when citizens complained of Christmas decorations abounding during the summer.
In July 2007, first-term
One of Weisner's major initiatives was to make Aurora the first city in Illinois to construct a complete wireless Internet infrastructure.[29] In January 2008 while it was in the middle of installing the city's Wi-Fi network, MetroFi switched from an advertising-based model to a subscription-based business model and suspended construction.[30] MetroFi had also contracted to install a network for Naperville, Illinois and attempted to sell partially installed networks to both cities.[31] In June 2008, Metrofi shut down all its wifi operations across the nation.[32]
In early March 2008, two Aurora City Council Aldermen announced their candidacies for mayor.
He ran unopposed for re-election on April 9, 2013.[37]
On May 8, 2015, Weisner announced that he would not seek a fourth term.[38]
Resignation and death
Weisner was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2007.[39] On August 25, 2016, Weisner announced his intention to step down as mayor, effective October 30, 2016. He cited health (cancer treatment) as the main reason for stepping down.[40] He was succeeded by Alderman Bob O'Connor.[41]
Weisner died of cancer-related complications on December 28, 2018. He was 69.[39]
Notes
- ^ Newsbank. Retrieved December 5, 2008.
- Newsbank. February 22, 2005. Retrieved December 6, 2008.
- ^ Weisner, Tom (April 30, 2008). "State of the City Address". City of Aurora, IL. Retrieved December 5, 2008.
- ^ Wilson, Marie (December 28, 2018). "Aurora mourns former mayor Tom Weisner". Daily Herald. Retrieved December 30, 2018.
- ^ Dardick, Hall (May 15, 2003). "Aurora's mayoral race off to early start". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved December 30, 2018.
- ^ Roth, Amy Fisher (December 7, 2004). "2 mayoral hopefuls file to get on Aurora ballot". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved December 6, 2008.
- Newsbank. Retrieved December 6, 2008.
- ^ Kamin, Blair (October 29, 1987). "Aurora Considering New Ticket Warnings". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved December 5, 2008.
- ^ "Aurora May Try Again to Control Cable Rates". Chicago Tribune. March 14, 1991. Retrieved December 5, 2008.
- Newsbank. December 21, 1991. Retrieved December 5, 2008.
- ^ Newsbank. Retrieved December 6, 2008.
- ^ Newsbank. Retrieved December 6, 2008.
- Newsbank. Retrieved December 6, 2008.
- ^ Newman, Craig (September 2, 2012). "Who are the Illinois delegates to the Democratic National Convention?". Chicago Sun-Times. Archived from the original on May 2, 2013. Retrieved September 6, 2012.
- Newsbank. Retrieved December 6, 2008.
- Newsbank. Retrieved December 6, 2008.
- Newsbank. Retrieved December 6, 2008.
- Newsbank. Retrieved December 6, 2008.
- Newsbank. Retrieved December 6, 2008.
- Newsbank. Retrieved December 6, 2008.
- Newsbank. Retrieved December 6, 2008.
- Newsbank. Retrieved December 6, 2008.
- ^ Roth, Amy Fischer (April 28, 2005). "New Aurora mayor sworn in; alderman still not backing out". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved December 6, 2008.
- Newsbank. June 18, 2005. Retrieved December 5, 2008.
- Newsbank. Retrieved December 6, 2008.
- Newsbank. Retrieved December 6, 2008.
- Newsbank. Retrieved December 6, 2008.
- Newsbank. Retrieved December 6, 2008.
- Newsbank. January 1, 2006. Retrieved December 6, 2008.
- Newsbank. Retrieved December 6, 2008.
- Newsbank. May 22, 2008. Retrieved December 6, 2008.
- Newsbank. Retrieved January 15, 2009.
- Newsbank. March 4, 2008. Retrieved December 6, 2008.
- Newsbank. May 22, 2008. Retrieved December 5, 2008.
- ^ Kuczka, Susan (March 13, 2009). "The sting of 'pay-to-play': Re-election challengers level accusations at suburban leaders". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved March 25, 2009.
- Newsbank. Retrieved April 21, 2009.
- ^ Lulay, Stephanie (April 8, 2013). "Weisner-backed PAC supports O'Connor". Aurora Beacon News. Retrieved May 18, 2013.
- ^ Lord, Steve (May 9, 2015). "Aurora Mayor Thomas Weisner will not run for re-election". Aurora Beach-News. Retrieved August 4, 2016.
- ^ a b Lord, Steve (December 28, 2018). "Former Aurora Mayor Tom Weisner dies, remembered as 'true public servant'". Aurora Beacon News. Retrieved December 28, 2018.
- ^ Lord, Steve; Freisthat, Sarah (August 25, 2016). "Aurora Mayor Weisner to step down early". Aurora Beacon-News. Retrieved December 30, 2018.
- ^ Lord, Steve (November 1, 2016). "O'Connor sworn in as new Aurora mayor". Aurora Beacon News. Retrieved November 4, 2016.