The mayor of West Chicago has died, the city announced Tuesday afternoon.
Mike Kwasman was surrounded by his wife Crystal and other family in the days following his heart attack on Saturday. He was admitted to Central DuPage Hospital that day. He was 65.
“This is a tremendous loss to the citizens of West Chicago and to all who knew Mayor Kwasman,” said Ruben Pineda, West Chicago's Third Ward Alderman and Deputy Mayor. “He was not only a great leader, but also a great friend.”
Pineda’s sentiments were echoed by City Administrator Michael Guttman.
“His record of public service and his countless contributions as Mayor of the city he loved will serve as a legacy to future generations," Guttman said. "We will carry on his vision into the future, but first we mourn his loss.”
Kwasman has been West Chicago's mayor since December 2006. He was first appointed as acting mayor, then won elections in April 2007 and 2009. Before that he was Alderman of West Chicago's Fifth Ward for six years, according to the City of West Chicago website.
Kwasman owned and managed his own business. He was a West Chicago resident for 23 years, the city's website said.
Kwasman lived with his wife Crystal and Harry, their Wheaten Terrier, in the Forest Trails neighborhood of the city.
Arrangements have not been finalized but will be subsequently released.
"A Dedicated Elected Official"
West Chicago city leaders and residents paused Tuesday to remember the mayor they treasured so much.
"With the passing of West Chicago's Mayor Mike Kwasman ... our community (not just West Chicago) lost a dedicated elected official and the environment lost a friend," wrote Don Kirchenberg, voluntary chairman for Friends of the Great Western Trails.
Kirchenberg recalled Kwasman's continued support of the trails, first as an alderman and then as mayor. Kwasman provided resources to help haul away trash on the trails and directed an effort to stop a power company's continued cutting of the trail trees.
"My best wishes go out to his family, friends and coworkers," Kirchenberg wrote on Patch.
Kwasman connected with his city in numerous ways, including through Coffee with the Mayor, an informal program held every third Saturday morning at West Chicago City Hall.
Patch will post information on memorial arrangements as they are released.
Susan Atkinson
11:44 pm on Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Where have you guys been I heard this on the 10 o'clock news!!!
Charles Menchaca
11:48 pm on Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Susan, I'm sorry for the delay. We hope you can learn a little bit more about Mayor Kwasman through this story. —Thanks, Charles Menchaca, Editor, Batavia Patch
Susan Atkinson
11:51 pm on Tuesday, April 17, 2012
My neighbor is from West Chicago so I told her. I heard about his heart attack from you guys so when I heard on the news he had died I checked my e-mail and was just surprised you guys are usually right on top of the news!!!Like you guys really!!
Charles Menchaca
11:58 pm on Tuesday, April 17, 2012
I'll get the information about Mayor Kwasman's memorial arrangements out as soon as it's released. Thanks and my apologies again.
Pat Fitz
7:10 am on Wednesday, April 18, 2012
My prayers go out to Mayor Kwasman family and friends.
JuleS
7:37 am on Wednesday, April 18, 2012
First and foremost, my condolences to the Mayor's family and friends, and to the citizens of West Chicago.
What would provide framework for the story of Kwasman's passing, is his age. Was he in his '70s... or a much younger man, say, in his early '50s, which would lend a completely different perspective? This is a major omission in the story, as well as in the one that first reported his heart attack. Apparently, Patch reporters need to be schooled in journalism basics: Who, What, Why, When, Where and How. Unfortunately, they are not journalism professionals, and such errors and omissions continually and repeatedly provide evidence of that.
Wayne Schricker
7:45 am on Wednesday, April 18, 2012
The first line of the article states he was 65.
SportzFan
8:44 am on Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Actually his age is mentioned twice.....
Charlotte Eriksen
10:59 am on Wednesday, April 18, 2012
My thoughts and prayers are with the Kwasman family.
Anthony Trendl
12:04 pm on Wednesday, April 18, 2012
I met Mike a few times when I was working at Wheaton Academy. He came to represent West Chicago at some events. Very nice guy. Met him after I worked at WA as well. Class act. RIP. My condolences to his family, friends and staff.
Elmer Gene Plumlee
4:38 pm on Thursday, April 19, 2012
Mayor Kwasman was a good man. He did a lot of good things for our city. There are many more things that he was working on. He will be missed by all who knew him. He was my neighbor. I send my condolenses out to Crystal and family. I hope that the city leaders will continue to pursue his goals.
Gene Plumlee