Joliet City Council Votes to Remove Interim City Manager

The Joliet City Council is moving forward with personnel changes after Tuesday night’s meeting. The council voted by a margin of 5-3 to remove Interim City Manager Marty Shanahan from the city manager position and return him to his role as corporate counsel for the city of Joliet. Shanahan has been acting as the city manager since October of 2018 when then city manager David Hales and the city agreed to part ways. Steve Jones will now take on the duel responsibilities of Director of Economic Development and as Deputy City Manager will now assume the city manager’s responsibilities until another interim city manager or a permanent hire is made.

Shanahan did address the body following his removal. He thanked his wife, family and friends for their support during the last several days. He also announced that he would be applying for the city manager position when the application process opens. The City Council did vote to hold a special meeting on Monday June 24th to discuss the process of hiring former Joliet City Manager Jim Hock as Interim City Manager. Councilman Pat Mudron even admitted to talking to Hock earlier Tuesday morning to gauge his interest in the position. Hock served as City Manager from fall 2013 to spring 2017.

The breakdown of the 5-3 vote to remove Shanahan was Councilpersons Mudron, Turk, Dickinson, Reardon and Gavin voting to remove Shanahan while Councilpersons Hug, Morris and Quillman voted against the decision. Joliet Mayor Bob O’Dekirk was unable to vote as the mayor can only vote to break a tie but the Mayor made strong comments against removing Shanahan. The Joliet City Council will next meet on Monday June 24th at 5:30 p.m. Stay tuned to WJOL for the latest regarding this story.