Former Chicago Ridge Mayor Gene Siegel Dies in Florida Hospital

CHICAGO RIDGE, IL -- Eugene L. Siegel, the southwest suburbs' longest sitting mayor and who reigned over Chicago Ridge for almost four decades, died Saturday afternoon at a Florida hospital.

His grandson Stephen Siegel posted an announcement on Instagram announcing his grandfather’s passing:

“Heaven grabbed one of the best men I’d ever known today. Mayor Gene gave it his all this week and passed over through the Gates of Heaven a short time ago. We’ll miss you greatly.”

Known affectionately to both friends and foes alike as “Mayor Gene,” Siegel was elected mayor of Chicago Ridge in 1975 when his predecessor, then-mayor Joe Coglianese, and five village trustees were indicted on corruption charges. Siegel was elected mayor nine times, covering a span of 38 years.

“The biggest thing he had to do was rebuild trust with the people,” Crestwood Mayor Lou Presta said. “He brought the town back to where it was and made Chicago Ridge what it is today - a very great town.”

Siegel moved to Chicago Ridge in 1956. He was the deputy Cook County coroner from 1962 to 1971, worked as the assistant chief the Cook County sheriff's office from 1971 to 1986, and was the administrative assistant to the state treasurer from 1986 to 1992.

He became the mayor full time in 1993, when the village board changed the ordinance making the mayor a full-time position.

Siegel is credited with building a pumping station and reservoir at the advice of then-Oak Lawn Mayor Fred Dumke. Under Siegel’s leadership in the early 1980s, the village built the Chicago Ridge Mall at 95th Street and Ridgeland Avenue on the site of a former drive-in theater. He also led efforts in the construction of The Commons of Chicago Ridge.

Upon announcing that he would not be seeking a tenth term as mayor in the 2013 election, Siegel told The Reporter the secret to his success was not believing he was better than anybody else.

“I’m on the same level as the people, that’s why I’ve been so successful.”

Siegel also held leadership positions in the Southwest Conference for Mayors and the Southwest Conference of Local Government. He sat on the board of the Illinois Municipal League, the Midway Airport Task Force and Southwest Central Dispatch, among others.

“Gene was a great guy. You could call him anytime and he’d answer his phone and give you advice,” Presta said. “He worked seven days a week. He was a good southwest suburban mayor.”