By Dee Longfellow
For The Elmhurst Independent
Last week, the Independent learned from the City of Elmhurst that former Mayor Charles “Chuck” Weigel, Jr. had passed away on Friday, July 6, 2018, at the age of 94. The City recalled Weigel including highlights from his Mayoral term from 1961-1973.
Born in Chicago in 1924 to Charles and Edith Weigel, he grew up on the northwest side of Chicago, attending Steinmetz High School. Weigel went to the University of Wisconsin and the University of Illinois after his service in the US Army Air Corps in World War II. He graduated from the University of Illinois in 1947 with degrees in chemistry and math.
Along with his wife Mary Ruth “Pris,” Weigel purchased a home at 671 Washington St. in 1948, where he continued to reside through March 2018. Mary Ruth passed away December 2014. They had four children: Mary Jo (Chastain), Charles III, Vicki (Cobb) and Mark.
He was recalled to the service during the Korean War. Later, he was an officer and active in the management of a small manufacturing company known as Weigel-Miller Inc., located in Addison.
Active in the Elmhurst community and the surrounding area, Weigel served as President of the 5th Ward Improvement Association (1949); President & Chairman of the Board of the Addison Industrial Association (1957-1959); member of the Board of Directors of the Addison Chamber of Commerce (1954); member of the Business & Professional Men’s Club of Elmhurst; Vice President and member of the Board of Directors for the Elmhurst Rotary Club; member of the Board of Directors to the Elmhurst YMCA; member of the Board of Governors of Elmhurst Memorial Hospital; Vice-Chair of the DuPage County Industrial Development Committee; and was a member of the Board for the Lizzadro Museum of Lapidary Arts.
Weigel was elected Alderman of the 5th Ward and served on City Council from 1957-1961. He served three terms as Mayor of Elmhurst, elected in 1961, 1965 and 1969. While Mayor he served as President of the DuPage Mayors and Managers Conference (1964-65); Vice President and Director of the Illinois Municipal League and served on the League’s Executive Committee.
In 1965, Weigel was awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws from Elmhurst College. In 1972, he received the Elmhurst Jaycees Distinguished Service Award (1972).
(Weigel’s full obituary appears elsewhere in this issue of the Elmhurst Independent.)
Weigel sees City through volatile times
Several pressing issues arose during Weigel’s tenure as Mayor. These included flooding and the resulting major public works projects of separating storm and sanitary sewers; O’Hare Airport zoning; expansion of Elmhurst Memorial Hospital; the establishment in 1972 of a recycling center co-sponsored by the City and the Elmhurst Environmental Committee; annexation; land use; an addition to Elmhurst Public Library; city planning, and the passage of a local fair housing/open housing ordinance (1970.) Weigel is credited for having established the industrial park in north Elmhurst.
Elected City officials share memories
Mayor Steve Morley released the following statement: “On behalf of City Council, we extend the Weigel family our deepest sympathy. Mayor Weigel’s service to the City of Elmhurst and his outstanding achievement towards improvements have contributed to the town we know and cherish today.”
Seventh Ward Alderman Mark Mulliner had this to say:
“Charles was one of those people who set the foundation for what Elmhurst is today. He was an example of a ‘Statesman Mayor.’”
Former Mayor Thomas D. Marcucci recalled Weigel thusly:
“I think he was a fabulous mayor, great for the City of Elmhurst, he shepherded us into the modern era of Chicago suburbs. He was a wonderful gentlemen.
“When I was first elected mayor back in 1993, he stopped by City Hall — without an appointment — asked to see me, I went up to the counter. He said, ‘Mayor great to see you,’ and I went to let him in, but he said he just wanted to introduce myself and let me know ‘if you need any help, anything that I can do to help you be successful, let me know.’
“He took the time to do that I was always grateful for that.”
