Former Lockport mayor Tim Murphy dead at 45

LOCKPORT – Former Lockport Mayor Tim Murphy has died.

Murphy, the mayor from 2005-09, died Monday morning, according to a news release from the city of Lockport. Paramedics were called to a Lockport home at 6:57 a.m. Murphy was then transported by the Lockport Township Fire Protection District to Silver Cross Hospital in New Lenox.

Murphy, 45, was known for working in cooperation with residents to help transform the city's downtown and the new Interstate 355 corridor, which opened in 2007, according to the news release.

“The proposed large scale retail development at 159th Street just west of Interstate 355 was visionary at the time to give motorists traveling along the expressway a reason to turn onto the interchange and stop to do some shopping or get a bite to eat,” the news release stated. “Today, it is the economic engine that is driving growth for both industrial and commercial businesses east and west of I-355.”

Murphy was only 33 when he was elected. He did not seek re-election in 2009, saying he wanted to re-enter the real estate field, according to media reports at the time.

Murphy started a downtown Lockport revitalization committee shortly after he was elected. The efforts to improve the downtown continue, with Mayor Steven Streit at the helm.

Long-time Alderman Brian Smith said he was shocked to hear the news.

“I had the pleasure of serving under him, as we both were elected in 2005 and served four-year terms,” Smith said. “Tim was a hands-on mayor who brought business skills to the city that aided in moving forward on many projects.”

Smith said he’d like to express his condolences to Murphy’s family.