Belvidere council confirms Craig Wilcox as director of buildings after debate over vacation policy

The council voted to appoint Craig Wilcox as the city’s director of buildings effective June 6, 2026, under compensation and benefits described in the city personnel manual and the mayor’s May 7 memo. The appointment was introduced from the finance/personnel committee and carried after a period of debate about policy consistency and succession planning.

Alderwoman Gracowski announced she could not support the agreement because she said it conflicted with the city’s personnel policy on vacation. In committee and on the council floor, Gracowski said the concern was policy consistency rather than pay. Council members who supported the appointment emphasized succession planning and short-notice operational needs; Mayor Clint Morris said Wilcox’s internal experience made him a practical short-term solution.

Alderman Bergen moved an amendment to change eight weeks’ paid vacation in the hiring package to four weeks; Alderwoman Gracowski seconded the amendment. The clerk recorded two votes in favor of that amendment and the motion failed. The original appointment motion then proceeded and the clerk announced the motion passed and the appointment was approved. The mayor and multiple council members praised Wilcox’s experience and the move toward a succession plan.

Council members noted budget considerations: the mayor said replacing the outgoing director with Wilcox results in roughly $9,000 annual savings compared with the prior director’s salary. Council directed staff to proceed with implementing the appointment; follow-up steps and succession planning for backfilling Wilcox’s prior duties were discussed as continuing actions.