Betty Cheever, Downers Grove’s first woman mayor, dies

DOWNERS GROVE – Betty Cheever, the first woman elected to serve as mayor of Downers Grove and the village’s longest-serving mayor, has died.

The village recognized her on its Facebook page Saturday.

“It is with great sadness that the Village of Downers Grove mourns the passing of Former Mayor Betty Cheever. We offer condolences to the Cheever family on behalf of the entire community.”

Cheever was first elected to serve as mayor in 1983. She went on to serve three more consecutive terms for a village record four total terms before retiring in 1999 after 16 years as one of the longest serving municipal leaders in DuPage County history. Cheever also served for eight years as a village commissioner.

While serving as mayor, she was on the DuPage Water Commission and president of the Mayors and Managers of DuPage in addition to being liquor commissioner for Downers Grove.

During her tenure, Cheever witnessed the expansion of village boundaries, steady population growth and a huge influx of corporate offices. Major additions included the establishment of Good Samaritan Hospital, the Lyman Woods forest preserve and Interstate Highway 355.

In this excerpt from a 1985 Chicago Tribune feature story on the village’s Facebook post, then Mayor Cheever described her approach to public service:

’'You have to listen very carefully to what the people say,’' Cheever said. ’'Then you approach the problems by saying, ‘How can you do what the people want you to do at any particular time?’ If you can’t do what they want, you must have a process to resolve the situation so the people feel they’re getting a fair shake.”

Current Downers Grove Mayor Bob Barnett said in a Facebook post that he first met Cheever in or around 2000, “and will be forever grateful for the counsel and encouragement she gave.”

“Betty was one of the most even-keel folks I’ve ever encountered in politics,” Barnett wrote in his post. “Her no-nonsense honesty and candor were both refreshing and inspiring. Betty it seemed, was always listening. She took a genuine interest in the things others had to say. In a room full of debate and discussion and sometimes chaos, just a few words from Betty would refocus and set things back in order.

“Much of what we hold dear in our Village is a function of the more than three decades of stewardship and leadership Betty gave to Downers Grove. She was in every sense, a servant leader.”

Brian Krajewski, who succeeded Cheever as mayor and now serves on the DuPage County Board, knew Cheever long before their connection politically. Krajewski attended grade school and high school with Cheever’s son, and rode the train downtown with Cheever’s daughter.

Krajewski, saluting Cheever’s long career of public service, said she was a “fixture” as mayor when he was growing up, her legacy seen today with the redevelopment of Downers Grove’s downtown area.

“What our downtown is today, it started with her and the board right before I got in,” Krajewski said. “They had implemented that TIF district downtown. When I took over Main Street was a dirt road and they tore it up. A lot of people today enjoy the downtown area, and that was started under her leadership with her vision of redoing the downtown.”

Cheever served the community in a variety of capacities, including service on the board of police and fire commissioners, the forum to address cultural activities, the Total Community Development committee, and she also chaired the Heritage Festival.

She served as president of the Downers Grove-Woodridge League of Women voters from 1969-1973 and she was a member of the board of the Illinois League of Women voters from 1974-1977.

Downers Grove’s Facebook post hailed her as a “tireless voting rights advocate and would go on to continue registering voters well into retirement.”

Cheever was remembered fondly by a number of residents and former village employees on the village’s Facebook post announcing her passing.

“I was employed at the Village and have fond memories of Mayor Cheever. She was so dedicated and worked very hard for the citizens,” Marion Heintz said. “She also appreciated the Village staff. My condolences to her family – she was a very special lady and a strong leader.”

“She was unique; her commitment to her community is unsurpassed,” Alice Dornan said. “Her entire life was devoted to service.”

“She was a strong female leader and role model to many,” Kathleen Rush said.