By Jim Hagerty
Reporter

ROCKFORD – Second Ward Ald. Jonathan Logemann will officially step away from the Rockford City Council Monday night. 

Logemann made the announcement in a letter to Mayor Tom McNamara this morning, saying he has been honored to serve the city for the past two years.

“I have always intended to be party to the good fight, and in a bittersweet way, I must resign in order to serve my city in a different capacity,” Logemann said in the conditional-resignation letter.

Logemann is being deployed to Afghanistan next week as part of the Illinois Army National Guard’s 178th Infantry Regiment. He’ll be gone for at least a year.

“We have fourteen aldermen who are dedicated to this city and I am honored to have been part of this collaborative body; government can indeed work on behalf of its residents,” he said. 

Logemann plans to retake his council seat when he returns from deployment. He recommended McNamara appoint Second Ward resident Tony Gaparini to take his place until then. 

“I have no doubt that (Gaparini) will serve this City and the people of the 2nd Ward in the highest respect,” Logemann said. 

The Auburn High School teacher had previously recommended the mayor appoint Gary W. Anderson urban planner Ashley Sarver but she withdrew.

“I am (sic) consider each of my fellow aldermen friends in support of a better Rockford,” he said. “Our city has much to proud of, and from the local institutions of the public sector to the organizations of the private sector to the work of local non-profits, I have been proud to do my humble part, alongside you. I thank you for your hard work, complete dedication, and whole commitment to the City, and I look forward to continuing the work and continuing to serve the people of Rockford in the future.”

Logemann’s resignation is effective at 11:59 p.m., Monday, July 15. His four-year term expires in 2021.