Jim McFarland Resigns Early from Joliet City Council

JOLIET, IL — As of midnight Monday, Jim McFarland is now a former Joliet City Council member.

Originally set for Sept. 30, McFarland cited upcoming issues the city is facing for his early departure.

“This way it will give the mayor an opportunity to find my replacement and folks can come in here and start voting on serious issues,” McFarland said. “There’s a lot of things before us that are very pertinent and right now sitting in this seat I’m basically a lame duck.”

Mayor O’Dekirk, Councilwoman Bettye Gavin and others thanked McFarland for his three-and-a-half years of work for the council.

“We tackled some really tough issues,” O’Dekirk said. “In the three-and-a-half years you’ve been on the council, there’s been a real change and a positive change in the City of Joliet.”

McFarland said he will be moving to Frankfort.

“That way my wife can get to and from the train and it cuts off 40 minutes each way,” McFarland said.

Outside the warm farewells McFarland received Monday evening, he is still facing a driving under the influence charge after he was stopped by an Illinois State Police trooper for going 85 in a 65 mph zone.