Legendary Aldermen

When voters go to the polls tomorrow.. theyll replace three long time aldermen. Because of term limits.. Aldermen Chuck Redpath ..Frank McNeil and Irv Smith are leaving city council.. ..Something that hasnt happened since 1987. 20 years ago .. Springfield made history ... A racial lawsuit ... Forced Springfield to change the way of government ... Get rid of the white collar commissioners mainly living on the west side ... And form an aldermanic form of government. Twenty years later three f those aldermen are still standing ... But theyre going to have to say good bye. In the mid 80s ... Alderman Frank McNeil wanted to change Springfields government ... As a plaintiff in the voting rights lawsuit and then candidate .. he felt like a bulls eye. "You can tell its almost like the chill in the air. You know you walk in some places where they are pro change of government. You are a nice guy. And then you walk in other places and you could almost hear a pin drop because it was so quiet and this was the guy." said Alderman Frank McNeil, Ward 2. Republicans like Irv Smith were against getting rid of commissioners ... Because they were getting what they wanted from a commission made up of westsiders. But once the new form of government kicked in ... Many of them found out ... Everyone has a voice ... Giving neighborhood groups more leverage. And having a non-partisan council ... Also alliances that were more focused on issues not party. "Irv Smith and I we were strong advocates for a lot of years and we got a lot of things done for his ward and for my ward and we did it. And he was a strong republican and I was strong democrat." Said Alderman Chuck Redpath, Ward 4. "Coalitions come and go in politics. And one of the things in politics you cant hold a grudge for too long . It took me a few years to learn that." Alderman Irv Smith, Ward 8. And after two decades ... Theres cleaner sidewalks ... A committee who overseas police misconduct ... Tougher zoning laws ... And new roads ... Frank McNeil .. Chuck Redpath and Irv Smith say theyre ready to hang their hat up. "I did the best I could while i was here. got nailed a few times that goes with it. The next person is going to have a tough enough time without Irv Smith calling him and telling him youre doing it wrong." Said Smith. "I did what I said I was going to do I told the people I was going to bring their services out there and I did it and I feel good about that." Said Redpath. "I dont want a legacy I just want to be remembered as having done the best that I could. You will not be forgotten Alderman McNeil by me or anybody else.....time is up." Said McNeil. Youll have another chance to vote on term limits tomorrow ... A binding referendum calls on whether you support three consecutive term limts lasting four years. If its approved ... Some of the aldermen elected tomorrow could stay in office for as long as theyre elected.