Chicago Heights, IL–(ENEWSPF)–
Ald. Vincent Zaranti (6th) is the interim mayor of Chicago Heights.
Zaranti was appointed to the position, created by the death of Mayor Alex Lopez, during Monday night’s special city council meeting. He received votes from Aldermen Willie White (1st), Sonia Perez (2nd), Wanda Rodgers (3rd) and himself.
The group usually voted in a bloc supporting Lopez’s agenda. Ald. Lisa Aprati (5th) received votes from herself and Ald. Joe Faso (4th) to succeed Lopez.
Lopez, 44, died Aug. 27 of cardiovascular disease and diabetes, collapsing while attending a daughter’s basketball practice. He became mayor in April 2009 by the same process as Zaranti after former Mayor Anthony DeLuca resigned when appointed to the Illinois House.
Zaranti was selected as interim mayor after the city council picked White to chair the meeting. Aprati, who was elected to the council in 1999, lost a bid to chair the meeting, getting support only from Faso.
“I’ve got some mixed emotions here,” Zaranti said after winning the appointment. “For me, this is not time to celebrate. This is not something I’m prepared to do. It’s with great honor and with a heavy heart I accept this opportunity.”
