Joliet City Councilwoman Susie Barber Resigns

Editor's note: Updated with comments from city councilman Larry Hug.

Joliet City Councilwoman has resigned for health reasons, Mayor Tom Giarrante announced Wednesday.

Giarrante said he met early Wednesday with Barber, who resigned effective immediately.

Barber has represented District 4 on the city council since 2007. She had not attended a city council meeting since August 2013, when she was taken to the hospital after becoming ill during a meeting.

In December, Barber sent a letter to constituents implying she did not intend to resign, but said she wanted to explain her absence to prevent "any undue conclusions from being drawn." 

"Over the past few months, I have struggled with life-threatening health problems that have prevented me from fulfilling my duties on the council as I would have intended," Barber said at the time, adding, "I regret that I have not been able to serve to my fullest capacity during this period (for) the people of the city I call home."

Patch was unable to reach Barber, whose term was slated to expire in 2015, on Wednesday.

"Joliet is a better place because of Susie Barber," Giarrante said. "I thank her for the many years of dedicated service she has provided not only to District 4, but to all Joliet residents. She is a dear friend of mine, and I wish her nothing but the best."

The process of appointment a replacement for Barber could take up to 90 days; the mayor has 60 days to submit an appointment to the city council, which then has 30 days to vote on whether to approve the appointment.

District 1 councilman Larry Hug on Wednesday issued a statement thanking Barber for her service.

“I wish Susie the best,” said Hug, “and I pray for a quick and complete recovery. I always say ‘family first’ and I support Suzie when she says it’s in the best interest of her family.”