Crest Hill council honors Alderman John Richey, opens process to fill Ward 1 vacancy

The Crest Hill City Council opened its May 6 meeting by announcing the death of Alderman John Richey, who died April 28, 2024. The mayor said Richey was 87 and had been first elected in 1979, serving 45 consecutive years in the same seat. Council members observed a moment of silence.

The mayor named immediate family members in the chamber: Richey’s son, identified as John Junior, and his daughters Tammy and Christine (the transcript notes Christine is the city clerk). The mayor said Richey “improved the quality of life for our residents” and singled out his concern for senior residents.

The mayor announced there will be a vacancy in Ward 1 and invited interested Ward 1 residents to apply. He said the city attorney will advise on the timing but indicated the appointment process would be completed within the statutory period (the mayor referenced a roughly 60‑day timeframe) and that he will accept applications, interview candidates and then bring a nomination to the council for advice and consent.

The council also noted arrangements to honor Richey at City Hall: bunting was installed and flowers from the wake were placed in the chamber. No formal vote or policy action was associated with the announcement; it served as a procedural and ceremonial item that begins the statutory process to fill the vacant seat.

The next procedural step is for the mayor to receive applications from qualified Ward 1 residents, conduct interviews and return a nomination to the council for confirmation.