Springfield council appoints Alderman Chuck Redpath city clerk after heated debate over process

SPRINGFIELD — The Springfield City Council voted on Jan. 7, 2025, to amend ordinance 2024-497 and appoint Alderman Chuck Redpath as city clerk, passing the ordinance by a 5-3 vote with two members recorded as present.

The vote followed nearly two hours of council debate and more than a dozen public comments that pressed for a formal, published application process before the council filled the vacancy left when former city clerk Frank Lusko resigned effective Jan. 1, 2025.

The dispute centered on process rather than qualifications. Alderman Hanauer moved amendment No. 1 to insert Alderman Chuck Redpath’s name into the draft ordinance; that amendment passed. Opponents argued the council had time under the consent decree to craft a public selection process and that appointing a sitting alderman without a broader recruitment period would look like backroom politics.

Alderman Chuck Redpath, who addressed the council before the votes, outlined priorities he said he would pursue if appointed: filling vacant positions in the clerk’s office, restoring a deputy clerk chain of command, improving records and FOIA processing, and adopting more electronic procedures. “If selected, I plan to serve you all over the next 2 and a half years in this role. However, I want to make it clear that I will not seek election in April of 2027,” Redpath said.

Opponents on the dais cited the consent decree and called for more public notice. Alderwoman Notriano said, “This is an elected citywide office, and the people — the people — deserve to have a say,” and asked the council to refer the ordinance to Committee of the Whole to create a deadline and an open application period. A motion to refer the ordinance to committee was made and seconded but failed after a tie; the mayor broke the tie against referral.

Several council members said the city code already leaves the appointment to the council, and that council members may bring forward candidates. Corporation counsel told council members the language in section 30.04 of the city code derives from the court-ordered consent decree and is vague on procedure; counsel said the council could, by ordinance, adopt more specific steps for future appointments.

Public comment reflected the split. Supporters of Redpath described his long local service and endorsed his experience. Tom Schafer, identifying himself as a long-time acquaintance, said Redpath had “earned” the post and urged a yes vote. Other speakers urged a more open process and raised allegations about Redpath and his family’s history; those speakers framed their remarks as reasons the council should not appoint without wider public input. One commenter said the vacancy was not adequately posted on the city website and asked whether a job description and background checks were being used.

Council members also proposed alternative nominees during the meeting. Alderwoman Notriano said she had received resumes for John P. Thomas and Josh Langfelder and moved to substitute Langfelder’s name into the ordinance; that amendment failed in a roll-call vote. The council then voted on final passage of ordinance 2024-497 as amended; the clerk announced the motion passed with five yes votes, three no votes and two present.

What the ordinance does: as amended, it formally declares the office of city clerk vacant and appoints Alderman Chuck Redpath to fill the vacancy until the next applicable election cycle. The ordinance text, effective date and any implementing administrative steps were not specified during the meeting.

The council did not adopt a new, written application process at the meeting. Several members asked staff and corporation counsel to draft language for section 30.04 of the code to set a formal procedure for future citywide vacancies; corporation counsel said such changes would be made by ordinance and could be considered in committee.

Votes at a glance

- Ordinance 2024-497 (as amended to appoint Alderman Chuck Redpath): final passage approved (vote recorded as 5 yes, 3 no, 2 present). Amendment No. 1 (insert Redpath) had passed earlier by majority; a subsequent amendment to replace Redpath with Josh Langfelder failed.

Next steps/administration

Council members who opposed the appointment said they will press to codify a transparent recruitment process for future vacancies. Corporation counsel said staff will draft amendment language to section 30.04 of the city code describing a process for appointments by council, which would require a future ordinance vote to adopt.