Mayor Appoints Son Of Former Mayor To Lake Forest City Council

LAKE FOREST, IL — Following the unexpected resignation of a recently elected aldermen, the mayor of Lake Forest named a retired judge to replace him.

Joe Waldeck, 71, was first appointed as an associate judge in Lake County in 1995 after working as a prosecutor and in his own law office.

Waldeck first retired from the bench in 2014 and returned to private practice. Last year, he was temporarily reassigned to a new seven-month term on the 19th Judicial Circuit before retiring again in December, according to city and court representatives.

A Lake Forest resident since 1957, Waldeck previously served on the board of the Gorton Community Center and chaired the city's legal committee, which meets quarterly to review litigation involving the city.

Following last week's sudden resignation of 1st Ward Ald. Terry Mieling, Lake Forest Mayor Randy Tack nominated Waldeck to fill the vacancy through next spring.

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“With his wealth of experience locally and a commitment to the City of Lake Forest that is beyond reproach, Joe will be an excellent addition to the City Council," Tack said in a statement. "Given Joe’s background and experience, he will join the Council ready to actively participate.”

The City Council must still vote on whether to confirm the appointment, which they are scheduled to do June 20.

Waldeck is the son of former Lake Forest Mayor Frank Waldeck, who held the post from 1978 to 1981. As mayor, his father presided over the creation of the Committee Representing Our Young Adults, or CROYA, and the establishment of the Chicago Bears' original Halas Hall training facility.

The councilmember Waldeck is set to replace, Terry Mieling, was elected in April, took the oath of office in May, skipped the next meeting and resigned for what city staff described as "personal reasons."

Mieling has not commented on the circumstances of his departure, but an incident involving Lake Forest Police Department appears to have been a factor in his sudden resignation.

In response to a public records request, city officials elected to withhold all reports of Mieling's recent involvement with local police.

Lake Forest police have declined to comment and said no one has been arrested or charged in connection with any such encounter.

The position of 1st Ward alderman will be back on the ballot in March 2024. Tack said he expects the Lake Forest Caucus to make its pick for the seat in the fall.

Read more: Lake Forest Alderman Resigns After Attending A Single Meeting