Wanted: Candidates to serve on Moline, Rock Island city councils

The mayors of Rock Island and Moline are each seeking candidates to fill open seats on their city councils after the resignation and planned relocation of one sitting alderperson and the untimely death of another.

Moline deadline Jan. 9

Moline Mayor Sangeetha Rayapati announced in a recent city news release that she is seeking community-minded candidates interested in filling the Sixth Ward City Council seat. It was previously held by the late Alderman Pat O’Brien. Mr. O’Brien, a longtime public servant and community leader, died on Sunday, Dec. 10, after a short battle with cancer. 

The term for the seat that his death left vacant expires in May of 2025. Candidates for Moline’s Sixth Ward seat must reside within that ward. Applications are available online here or in person at City Hall, 619 16th St., Moline. 

The mayor also said in the release she will accept expressions of interest and statements of qualifications beginning today, Jan. 2, and running through Tuesday, Jan. 9.

Ms. Rayapati expects to interview candidates between Monday, Jan. 15 and Friday, Jan. 19.  Her goal, the release said, is to share her recommendation with the Moline City Council on Jan. 19 and formally go before aldermen for their approval at the council’s Jan. 23, meeting.

Under that timetable the new Sixth Ward representative would be sworn in at the Feb. 13 regular Moline City Council meeting.

RI deadline Feb. 2

Rock Island Mayor Mike Thoms also is looking for candidates to fill the seat of outgoing Third Ward Alderwoman Judith Gilbert. Candidates must reside in the Third Ward, which encompasses a portion of southwest Rock Island, according to a City of Rock Island news release. 

Ms. Gilbert, whose resignation is effective Friday, Jan. 12, said she plans to move closer to family in Eldridge, Iowa. 

Potential candidates for the Third Ward post should send a resume and a brief letter stating why they would be the best candidate to represent the Third Ward to Mayor Thoms at thoms.mike@rigov.org by Friday, Feb. 2, at 5 p.m. 

Mr. Thoms will nominate a Third Ward resident, subject to approval by city council, to fill out the remainder of Ms. Gilbert’s term, which also ends in May of 2025.