Frank Edwards (Illinois politician)

Frank Edwards (born 1950) was a Mayor of Springfield, Illinois. He was appointed by the Springfield City Council on December 28, 2010, to the vacancy caused by the death of Mayor Tim Davlin. He was succeeded by J. Michael Houston on April 29, 2011.

Edwards has served as Alderman for the city's first ward since 2003, and is seeking re-election to that office. Before becoming an elected official, Edwards served as Springfield's Fire Chief.

Background

Frank Edwards was born in 1950. His mother was a nurse, and his father was a letter carrier, who would serve in World War II. Edwards himself served in the Illinois Air National Guard, while in college, and attained the rank of Sergeant, before earning an honorable discharge in 1975.

After earning an Education degree, from Eastern Illinois University, Edwards worked as a special education math teacher. Through the local park district, he also taught physical education and swimming, at Southeast High School. On a dare from his mother, who had seen a local newspaper notice for the firefighters exam, Frank took, and passed, the test. He would become, 26 years later (on February 23, 2001), the Chief of the Springfield, Illinois fire department.

Political activities

In 2003, Edwards was elected to the City Council, with 53% of the vote, in Springfield's first ward. He was unopposed for re-election in 2007. In addition to municipal government, Edwards also briefly sought the Republican nomination for Governor of Illinois in 2009, but withdrew before the primary.

On December 28, 2010, during a special City Council meeting, called following the unexpected death of Mayor Tim Davlin, Edwards was chosen as mayor, by a 6 to 4 vote of the council.^[2] He subsequently resigned his position as Alderman (to serve as Mayor), but was reelected to that Ward 1 position.

In the April 5, 2011 general election, Edwards was elected to the Ward 1 City Council seat, garnering over 60% of the vote.^[3] His tenure as Mayor ended on April 29, 2011, when new municipal officers are sworn in.

Personal

Mayor Edwards' wife, Cinda, is also an elected official, serving as a Trustee of the Illinois Community College Board. Cinda Edwards also serves as Coroner of Sangamon County. The Edwards' are co-owners of an auto body and welding service. They have one son.

References

External links

• Office of the Mayor. Official Springfield, Illinois municipal government website. Access January 5, 2010
• OurCampaigns profile, from 2010 Illinois Gubernatorial run. Accessed January 5, 2010.
• Springfield Welding and Autobody. Accessed January 5, 2010.