ROCKFORD, IL — Rockford’s longest serving alderman is asking for City Council support to serve as acting mayor when Tom McNamara leaves office at the end of August.
A member of City Council since 1981, Ald. Frank Beach, R-10, is serving his 12th term as alderman. In an email to City Council members he said that if appointed acting mayor, he will not seek election to the office and return to his aldermanic seat. He is at least the second alderman to say he would like to serve as acting mayor.
“Differences of perspective are a strength, not a weakness, when they are accompanied by respect and a commitment to serving our residents,” Beach wrote. “We may not always agree on every issue, but we can agree on what matters most: moving our city forward with unity, integrity and a spirit of cooperation.”
McNamara shocked Rockford residents with a surprise announcement that he would be resigning as mayor midway through his third term. McNamara said he plans to take over as CEO of the Illinois Municipal League in January when its current leader is expected to retire.
McNamara timed his departure to allow there to be a Feb. 23, 2027, primary and an April 6, 2027, election for his replacement. But there will need to be an acting mayor chosen from among city aldermen to serve in the office temporarily between McNamara’s resignation at the end of August until May 2027 when the next elected mayor takes the oath.
As a longtime Republican, it’s unclear if Beach could gather the eight of 14 votes he would need to earn the appointment on a majority Democratic City Council. But he told fellow City Council members that Rockford “deserves someone who brings not only experience, but also the ability to bring people together.”
Owner of a private accounting business, Beach is a U.S. Army veteran who served during the Korean War. He is also a past co-owner of Gibbs Beach Associated Accounting Firm and past president/CEO of Groom Industries in Rockford.
“With 45 years of dedicated service to our community, I have seen firsthand that our greatest accomplishments come when we work together with mutual respect and a shared purpose,” Beach wrote. “While there may be several individuals interested in serving as Mayor Pro Tem, this decision is about more than selecting a leader for the moment. It is an opportunity to strengthen relationships among council members, build trust and demonstrate to our community that diverse opinions can come together with one voice for the common good.”
His announcement follows that of Ald. Gabrielle Torina, D-5, who has also announced she would like to serve as acting mayor.
State Rep. Maurice West, D-Rockford, said he intends to seek election to succeed McNamara in the 2027 spring election.
Jeff Kolkey writes about government, economic development and other issues for the Rockford Register Star. He can be reached via email at jkolkey@rrstar.com and on X @jeffkolkey.
This article originally appeared on Rockford Register Star: Veteran Ald. Frank Beach eyes Rockford acting mayor role
Reporting by Jeff Kolkey, Rockford Register Star / Rockford Register Star
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By Jeff Kolkey, Rockford Register Star | USA TODAY Network
