Macomb city council members this week unanimously approved Mayor Mike Inman's appointment of John Vigezzi to fill the vacant seat in the city's second ward. Vigezzi works at Farm King as the distribution and logistics manager. He previously worked for the travel center at the Macomb Amtrak Station.
Vigezzi has been active in the community over the years -- he's served as president of the Macomb Chamber of Commerce and he's served on the board for the Macomb Area Economic Development Cooperation.
“I truly believe to be part of a city, you really have to be part of everything in the city whether it be city government, boy scouts, baseball, all those different activities and to really make sure the right things are done, you have to be a voice,” Vigezzi said.
Vigezzi has lived in Macomb for 11 years, the last 3 in the second ward where his family purchased an old fraternity house on N. McArthur St. and converted it back into a single family residence. He lives there with his wife and four children.
The second ward covers much of the city's northwest quadrant, including Western Illinois University and many of its students.
Vigezzi said he doesn’t have any priorities going into office aside from wanting to be a voice for his residents.
“A lot of it is really communication. Finding out what the students want, what they are looking for,” Vigezzi said. “Being good open communications so the students and the city all know what’s happening. As long as they have a word and know that they have someone they can talk to and they can go to city council. It’s all going to be positive.”
He plans to go door-to-door in the second ward to get his name out there and learn what issues are important to the ward's residents. His term runs through May. Vigezzi said he plans to run for a full term in the April election.
He replaces Former 2nd ward Alderman Steve Wayland who stepped down last month to continue his education. He’s getting his Master’s degree from the WIU campus in the Quad Cities and was unable to continue attending city meetings.
