Joliet names City Clerk Desiderio to deputy city manager post

Joliet City Clerk Christa Desiderio will become the city’s deputy city manager.

City Manager Beth Beatty announced Desiderio’s appointment Wednesday morning.

“Christa is the best choice to help me in managing our city government and serving the people of Joliet,” Beatty said in a news release. “She has strong leadership and managerial skills along with knowledge in the day-to-day operations of city government and is respected by the staff and City Council.”

Beatty, who became the city manager in December, hired Desiderio for the position as her top aide.

Desiderio has been city clerk for the past 12 years and has more than 23 years of municipal government experience, according to the release.

Desiderio’s experience in municipal government has been with the city of Joliet, where she has worked since 2000.

Before becoming city clerk, Desiderio primarily was the liaison to the Joliet Board of Fire and Police Commissioners. She served in a variety of fill-in roles during that time, including as office manager for the mayor’s office.

As city clerk, she also occasionally filled in as city manager when Steve Jones was interim city manager and would take time off.

“I am extremely honored to be given the opportunity to serve the community in the position of deputy city manager,” Desiderio said in the release. “I look forward to continuing to work alongside our talented leadership team to improve the quality of life for our residents.”

Joliet does not have a deputy city manager, although it has in the past. The City Council approved funding for the position when it adopted the 2024 budget.

Desiderio will be paid a salary of $185,500.

Beatty is being paid a salary of $230,000, the highest amount paid to a city manager in Joliet.

Her predecessor, James Capparelli, was paid $198,000. Interim City Manager Rod Tonelli, who filled in after Capparelli resigned in June, was paid on the basis of an annual salary of $174,000.

Desiderio has a Bachelor of Science degree from Illinois State University, where she majored in economics and minored in mathematics and business administration.

She started immediately as deputy city manager and will be serving a dual role as city clerk until that position is filled, Beatty said in an interview Wednesday afternoon.

Beatty said she will post the position of city clerk.

Desiderio was one of “a handful” of candidates who applied for the job as deputy city manager, Beatty said.

Beatty also needs to fill the position of city attorney, which has been open since Sabrina Spano left in July. Deputy City Attorney Chris Regis is currently serving as interim city attorney.

“We have not posted the position,” Beatty said. “Chris is doing a great job for us now.”

The city actually interviewed city attorney candidates before hiring Beatty but left the position open for her to fill. Beatty said she intends to post the role again.