Former Mayor Charles “Chuck” Weigel, Jr. passed away on Friday, July 6, 2018. The City of Elmhurst remembers Weigel including the highlights during his Mayoral term from 1961-1973.
Weigel was born in Chicago in 1924 to Charles and Edith Weigel. He grew up on the northwest side of Chicago, attending Steinmetz High School and attended the University of Wisconsin and the University of Illinois after his service in the US Army Air Corps in World War II. He graduated from the University of Illinois in 1947 with degrees in chemistry and math.
Weigel and his wife, Mary Ruth “Pris”, purchased a home at 671 Washington St. in Elmhurst in 1948 where he continued to reside through March 2018 (Mary Ruth passed away December 2014). Mr. and Mrs. Weigel had four children: Mary Jo (Chastain), Charles III, Vicki (Cobb) and Mark. Mr. Weigel was recalled to the service during the Korean War. He was an officer and active in the management of a small manufacturing company, Weigel-Miller Inc. in Addison, Illinois.
Charles Weigel, Jr. was active in the Elmhurst community and the surrounding area, serving as President of the 5th Ward Improvement Association (1949); President & Chairman of the Board of the Addison Industrial Association (1957-1959); member of the Board of Directors of the Addison Chamber of Commerce (1954); member of the Business & Professional Men’s Club of Elmhurst; Vice President and member of the Board of Directors for the Elmhurst Rotary Club; member of the Board of Directors to the Elmhurst YMCA; member of the Board of Governors of Elmhurst Memorial Hospital; and Vice-Chair of the DuPage County Industrial Development Committee; and member of the Board for Lizzadro Lapidary Arts.
Weigel was elected Alderman of the 5th Ward and served on City Council 1957-1961. He was elected Mayor of Elmhurst in 1961, 1965 and 1969. While Mayor he served as President of the DuPage Mayors and Managers Conference (1964-65); Vice President and Director of the Illinois Municipal League and on the Executive Committee of the Illinois Municipal League.
Charles Weigel, Jr. was awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws from Elmhurst College (1965) and the Jaycees Distinguished Service Award (1972).
Several pressing issues arose during Weigel’s tenure as Mayor. These included flooding and the resulting major public works projects of separating storm and sanitary sewers, O’Hare Airport zoning, expansion of Elmhurst Memorial Hospital, the establishment in 1972 of a recycling center co-sponsored by the City and the Elmhurst Environmental Committee, annexation, land use, an addition to Elmhurst Public Library, city planning and the passage of a local fair housing/open housing ordinance (1970.) Mr. Weigel is credited for establishing the industrial park in north Elmhurst.
Mayor Steve Morley states, “On behalf of City Council, we extend the Weigel family our deepest sympathy. Mayor Weigel’s service to the City of Elmhurst and his outstanding achievement towards improvements have contributed to the town we know and cherish today.”