Prospect Heights names acting mayor

The Prospect Heights city council on Thursday picked Alderman Patrick Ludvigsen to become the acting mayor of the city.

Alderman Dolly Vole cast the only "no" in the 4-1 vote, saying she couldn't give Ludvigsen her support. Her views on how the city should be run were too different for her to vote in the affirmative, she said. Vole didn't elaborate on what those differences were.

"We do not see things the same," she said.

Ludvigsen confirmed that he and Vole disagreed on issues but declined to name specifics.

"We have differences of opinion," Ludvigsen said. "We both want what's best for Prospect Heights, but we both have different ways of getting there."

Ludvigsen had been the expected choice to succeed Rodney Pace, who resigned last Friday because of unspecified health reasons. He had the support of board members, and Pace himself had said Ludvigsen was the most qualified person on the board to lead the city.

Ludvigsen, one of the council's longer-serving alderman, had expressed interest in the position shortly after Pace resigned. His new job could mean another spot on the city council for someone else.

Among Ludvigsen's options, he could step down as alderman, which would mean the council would have to appoint a replacement. Going this route would prevent Ludvigsen from voting on issues with the board. But his vote would count if there was ever a tie.

He also could decide to retain his seat, meaning he could still vote with the board while presiding over meetings. Ludvigsen said he will probably make that decision in the next two weeks.

Ludvigsen, 39, has served on the board for the past five years. Before that, he served for six years on the Prospect Heights Park District board. He grew up in Prospect Heights, attending St. Viator High School. He went to Northern Illinois University, receiving a bachelor's degree in industrial technology and a master's in industrial management. He works as a controller for Carol Stream-based JMA Railroad and Supply. He's married with three daughters.

As the city's top official, Ludvigsen faces a number of pressing issues. Voters have rejected multiple tax-rate increase requests in the cash-strapped city, which is in the early stages of rebuilding its city hall. Last year, an arsonist set it ablaze, burning it to the ground.