Tom Thanas replacing Ron Caneva as Lockport city attorney

LOCKPORT – Ron Caneva will leave after 40 years as Lockport city attorney and be replaced, at least temporarily, by former Joliet City Manager Tom Thanas.

Caneva said he plans to retire Dec. 31 from his position, but will assist the city on a part-time basis next year. Thanas, who most recently served in a temporary appointment as a Will County Circuit Court judge, will be hired as city attorney, although it’s not known how long he will stay, City Administrator Ben Benson said.

Thanas was appointed by Mayor Steven Streit and unanimously approved by the city council after a closed session at Wednesday’s meeting.

Benson said Thanas will be paid as much as Caneva in his new role, an estimated $124,000 annual salary.

Thanas was Benson’s boss when Benson was assistant city manager in Joliet before taking the Lockport job.

Benson said city officials chose Thanas because of his municipal knowledge and experience.
In the past, Thanas served as city attorney for Joliet and Naperville, as well as regional counsel for Harrah's Casino. He became Joliet's city manager in 2008 before he resigned in 2013 and was appointed to the circuit court.

Benson worked for Thanas in Joliet as director marketing and communications before being appointed assistant city manager.

"I was certainly able to learn a lot from him and consider him a mentor," Benson said.
Thanas said he was excited to be a city attorney again. His 11-month appointment as judge ended Dec. 1. He chose not to run for election.

“I thought it was a good opportunity to work with [Benson] again and help him out and do the best I can for the city of Lockport,” Thanas said.

Benson said the city plans to have Thanas as its attorney for as long as he is available. City officials might consider using services from another law firm or bring in another attorney.

“Really, Lockport has so much going on in development and growth that we could use a multifaceted approach when it comes to attorneys,” he said.

Caneva said he chose to retire because he believed it was time. He notified Mayor Streit in September to give him time to find a replacement.

Caneva recalled his first time as the attorney was "a lot of fun," and he was just a year out of law school.
Since that time, he watched the city's population grow and engage in "boundary wars" over what could be considered the city's limits.

“It’s great. I had very good mayors and council members,” Caneva said.