Elmhurst Appoints New City Clerk

ELMHURST, IL — The Elmhurst City Council on Tuesday appointed a new clerk to replace Patty Spencer, who died in September after a 10-year battle with metastatic breast cancer. The new clerk is Jackie Haddad-Tamer, the chairwoman of the Elmhurst Commission on Youth.

Although Mayor Steve Morley's appointment required the City Council's consent, there was little suspense that aldermen would approve Haddad-Tamer. Her nameplate was already affixed to the council dais as the council entered its chambers.

Spencer was in the middle of her fourth term as city clerk when she died. It is an elected position. The current term ends in spring 2021.

At the council meeting, Morley told his colleagues that he has followed the same process in the three times he has filled vacancies in elected offices. He said he announces the positions publicly and issues news releases. In this case, seven residents submitted applications. He said he reviewed all of them candidates. "I was very happy that Jackie Tamer threw her hat into the ring," Morley said.

Haddad-Tamer, who was born and raised in Elmhurst, has volunteered for a number of groups. She was the community service chairwoman for the Juniors Club and a selected member of the Focus 205 Committee, according to a city news release.

The city clerk is the official keeper of city records and secretary to the City Council. The clerk's office oversees senior transportation programs, voter registration, public records requests and a variety of permits, the news release said.