O'Dekirk Sworn in as Joliet Mayor

Photo: Joliet Mayor Bob O’Dekirk is sworn in by Circuit Court Judge David Carlson.

Bob O’Dekirk is officially the new mayor of Joliet after he was sworn in Monday night in city council chambers in Joliet.

The oath of office was administered by Will County Circuit Court Judge David M. Carlson.

In his speech, O’Dekirk said he had a long campaign that started with just family and close friends. Over the last year, the campaign and volunteers grew.

“What I saw about a month ago in March was I had people from all four corners of the city helping out,” O’Dekirk said. “A campaign that began with myself, family and friends included labor unions, city union workers, non-city union workers with the county and with the state, eventually the endorsement from Latinos for Joliet, the endorsement from the African-American Clergy Association, and what I think we demonstrated throughout the campaign is working together, different groups working together, can achieve great things.”

O’Dekirk promised to the people of Joliet, both on the east side and west side, that he will continue to try to bring people and communities together.

“(We) can achieve what’s good for the city of Joliet,” O’Dekirk said.

However, O’Dekirk doesn’t see the council as eight individuals who will vote yes on his agenda.

“I want the city council-men and women to actively set the agenda for this city,” he said. “I want your votes to count and I want, as a group, for us to move together on moving this city forward.”

After the ceremony, O’Dekirk said one of the main topics he wants to tackle is Evergreen Terrace, the low-income apartment complex that has been the subject of much debate over what to do with it.

“Very shortly it will be handed to the council with the option of whether to buy it or not,” O’Dekirk said. “We need a detailed plan, a road map, of what we want to accomplish on the property, how much it’s going to cost and how we’re going to pay for it.”

As of now, that plan doesn’t exist, but O’Dekirk said it will be given to the council so an intelligent decision can be made.

Other issues include building a new courthouse and a proposed Houbolt Rd. toll bridge for truck traffic.

“The traffic is getting worse and worse,” O’Dekirk said. “Route 53 wasn’t built to handle this. Neither were the other feeder roads. We need to get an alternative. I think we’ve identified one. We just need to get the job done on that.”

But for now, O’Dekirk will be taking the night to celebrate with friends and family at Jacob Henry Mansion.