ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) – Rockford City Council members have selected 7th Ward Janessa Neal to serve as the city’s interim mayor following the upcoming resignation of Mayor Tom McNamara.
Neal was selected during a special City Council meeting called solely for the purpose of appointing an acting mayor under Illinois law. She defeated 5th Ward Alderwoman Gabrielle Torina by a 6-4 vote, with three alderpersons abstaining.
The appointment comes just weeks after McNamara announced he would step down at the end of August to become chief executive officer of the Illinois Municipal League, ending his tenure before the completion of his third term. McNamara has served as Rockford’s mayor since 2017…