Allegations of past racism by the Springfield City Council have cropped up as council members ponder appointing a former council member to a city commission.
In 2016, shortly after Gail Simpson had left the council, then-mayor Jim Langfelder sought to appoint her to the city’s Ethics Commission.
Simpson, who is Black, said she was told by council members the city had an informal policy that required departing members of the council to wait three years before serving on city commissions. Her appointment was rejected on a 7-3 vote.
But now, Mayor Misty Buscher is seeking to appoint Kristin DiCenso, who is white, to the city Liquor Commission even though she left the council in May. DiCenso had served as the Ward 6 alderperson since 2017 but did not seek reelection.
“This isn’t about Kristin DiCenso,” Ward 3 Ald. Roy Williams Jr. said. “I consider her to be my friend. What I’m concerned about is being fair and being consistent. There already is a perception of racism in regards to this city council. People on the east side think they are not being treated fairly. They (other council members) have the votes to do what they want to do. I just want someone to explain to me why this is being handled differently.”
The city council is slated to vote on the DiCenso appointment July 5.
Ward 10 Ald. Ralph Hanauer, who was on the council when Simpson’s appointment was rejected, said he doesn’t remember the specifics of why the council said “no” to the appointment.
“That was 2016. I have a hard time remembering what I did last week, but this is all just games, and Roy likes to throw out the racism issue because that’s all he has,” he said.
Hanauer said he does remember that Simpson was not the only person nominated by Langfelder who was rejected by the council.
“The mayor was appointing people to offices that ran against aldermen and women. Well, if you notice, not too many of them made it,” he said. However, Simpson had not sought reelection to Ward 2 in 2015, opting instead to run for mayor, a race Langfelder ultimately won.
“Alderman Williams is playing games. He’s trying to be an obstructionist for this administration. And that’s really not good for the city, it’s not good for his ward and it’s not going to go anywhere. It gives you something to talk about, But in the end, he doesn’t have six votes, and he can’t get to six,” said Hanauer.
Hanauer said he is unaware of any rule that members of the City Council need to wait three years before being appointed to a board or commission. He noted that former mayor Mike Houston was appointed to the Springfield Airport Authority shortly after leaving office.
In an email sent to Williams, Corporation Counsel Gregory Moredock said there is no ordinance prohibiting former council members from serving on city commissions immediately after leaving the council.
Williams said he is skeptical of that interpretation of city statutes but added it still doesn’t explain why Simpson was treated differently than DiCenso appears to be.
“Everything that happens in this city is about race,” Simpson told Illinois Times. She said she is certain she was told that such a rule existed when council members voted down her appointment seven years ago.
Ward 1 Ald. Chuck Redpath, who was on the City Council when Simpson’s appointment was considered, said he believes there is a rule barring former council members from serving on boards and commissions for three years after leaving office. But he said the city council can vote to waive the rule.
“The council can overrule it with six votes,” he said.
Buscher declined to discuss the appointment with Illinois Times. When contacted following the June 27 council’s committee of the whole meeting, DiCenso also declined to discuss the matter.
“People think I’m trying to cause trouble,” said Williams. “Kristin is a partier. She’d be great on the Liquor Commission. She knows how bars work. But I’m here to serve my constituents, and people on the east side want to know why she is being treated differently.”
This article appears in Grillin’ and Chillin’ 2023.
So ward 10 Alderman Ralph Hanauer said, “That was 2016. I have a hard time remembering what I did last week, but this is all just games, and Roy likes to throw out the racism issue because that’s all he has,” but then he conveniently remembers that Simpson was not the only person nominated by Langfelder who was rejected by the council.
I love it when politicians in Springfield have selective memory in order to fit their agenda.
There are two different Springfield’s in Illinois one East of Chatham Road and one West of Chatham Road.
I believe what Alderman Roy Williams Jr. is to trying to bring forth and accomplish is that there should be consistency, fairness, transparency and due diligence for all residents of Springfield Illinois not just East or West by this current City Counsel and this administration.
I hope the mayor saves the taxpayers some money and does away with the communications department for the city since the norm for this administration is no comment or did not return the call.
Ralph’s comments sound very civil for someone who was crying that Roy and Shawn didn’t sign the “civility pledge” and that the public is mean to the council members sometimes.
What an ignorant and pretentious individual. Basically making it clear that Williams will be hard pressed to pass any ordinances in the next four years because he “can’t get six votes.” This isn’t just about the commission appointment. His stance is clear.
What a shame that this guy has been on our City Council for 8 years and soon to be 12. Boo.
“I consider her to be my friend.” What I’m concerned about is being fair and consistent. REALLY Roy? and you were appointed to finish a term, but DiCenso had to run when the seat was vacated for a 2-year term. Then run again for a full term. That isn’t consistent at all!
“People think I’m trying to cause trouble,” said Williams. “Kristin is a partier.”
Yes, you are causing needless trouble and making false claims again. instead of concentrating on the Ward 3 you represent, which has the lowest registered voter turnout in the city. That means a large majority of people do not care for the person in office and don’t believe anything good can come out of it.
That’s a direct poll on how people feel about you. Out of those very few that voted for you, how many knew who the last liqueur commissioner was?
The garbage and lack of upkeep in many of the yards and streets in Ward 3 is in layers.
When was the last time you organized a Ward cleanup?
You will get more done for Ward 3 working with people than taking a page out of Joe’s playbook and accomplishing nothing positive.
In response to Paul Barker, you make a lot of claims about voter turnout and really miss the mark. Voter turnout isn’t due to the fact they don’t care for the alderman, it’s that they have no faith in and don’t like the system so they don’t vote. You would know that if you knew people who lived there or even talked to them. The entire city didn’t have a high turnout. I’m glad Alderman Williams is making the council more consistent. For years they have treated the Eastside like it doesn’t matter. Hanauer is undeniably racist so of course, he doesn’t like what Williams said. It shines a light on his inconsistent behavior. Thank you to Redpath for being fair, and honest about this.
How about you worry less about what happens in Ward 3 and more with the mall being a shooting range, and lacking variety in stores. That place is boring, lackluster, and a waste of space.
Shes_gotta_haveit why the fake name?
“Voter turnout isn’t due to the fact they don’t care for the alderman, it’s that they have no faith in and don’t like the system so they don’t vote”
The ONLY way the system is changed is by voting.
“You would know that if you knew people who lived there or even talked to them.” Yes I do and I have.
“How about you worry less about what happens in Ward 3 and more with the mall being a shooting range, and lacking variety in stores. That place is boring, lackluster, and a waste of space.”
That so-called waste of space is still the largest real estate and sales tax generator in the city. If it goes away, who is going to make up that shortfall in tax collection? More city tax money flows to the east side than it generates on its own. It’s in everyone’s best interest to see all wards in the city do well.
Paul Barker, it is not a fake name it’s called a handle but just like the mall you’re outdated and behind the times. You make me laugh always critical of elected officials you don’t like but can’t take any criticism on the AWFUL so-called mall.
So what is this “Handle” real name? If your so committed to helping the city Why hide ? Every computer puts out an ISP number
@Parker Barker you mean an IP address and I’m not obligated to tell you my name. I do more work in this city than you’ve ever done. I volunteer my time and money to the causes I care about. I work with those from ALL backgrounds regardless of political belief or any other grouping. You’re content yelling to the clouds like the old man you are.
Making scathing comments about our elected officials literally does nothing to improve the city. It only makes you feel like you matter. When in actuality no one cares.
. I do more work in this city than youve ever done. I volunteer my time and money to the causes I care about. I work with those from ALL backgrounds regardless of political belief or any other grouping.
So why not tell us who you are so we can congratulate you?
If I don’t matter, then why are you attacking me?
Nice try, but I think we all know who you are. Have a nice day.