Former southwest Illinois mayor dies after lengthy illness
Former Alorton Mayor Randy McCallum died suddenly Tuesday, his family said.
McCallum had been ill and waiting on a kidney donor, his wife Gwen McCallum said.
“This is a very painful and stressful time for our family,” she said.
McCallum’s seven-year term as Alorton’s mayor ended in 2012 when he resigned his position amid an FBI investigation into a village hall scheme to acquire and distribute drugs. Weeks later, he pleaded guilty to attempted possession with intent to deliver crack cocaine, theft of government property, attempting to smuggle contraband into a prison, and making false statements to federal law enforcement officers.
According to the charges, McCallum instructed Alorton police officers to steal money and drugs from criminal suspects and deliver the “mother load” back to him.
But Gwen McCallum said her husband did his best to make a difference in the lives of the citizens of the village that has since been consolidated into the new Cahokia Heights. Those who knew her husband “can hear him saying ‘I gave it my all and I am good,’” she said.
Frank Smith, chairman of the East St. Louis Democratic Central Committee, said McCallum was “an upstanding alright guy.”
“I never had any problem with him. Other people might have, but I never did,” Smith said. “He was an honorable man. If he believed in something, he fought for it.
“I feel sadness for his family. I am praying for strength for them as they start a journey without their loved one.”
At 16, McCallum became an entrepreneur and turned to politics later in his life when former Mayor Carolyn Williams appointed him a police commissioner, Gwen McCallum said.
“He was overjoyed with that position,” she said.
As mayor, one of McCallum’s priority was helping the village’s senior citizens, his wife said.
“Randy loved to help the elderly. He always made sure they had food and their grass was cut in the summer,” said McCallum. “In the winter he made sure their areas were shoveled.”
The mayor also tried to stoke pride in the community by gathering citizens together.
“He wanted Alorton’s citizen to have some of the things that others outside of the village enjoyed,” she said. “He was responsible for creating the Taste of Alorton. We brought a lot of different people out here to provide different kinds of foods to the citizens. We paid for the event. It was not about the money. It was about our community getting together as one.”
Joann Reed said she is saddened for McCallum family and for the community.
“He and I were legendary leaders and legendary rivals,” said Reed, who succeeded McCallum as mayor.
Reed said the merger of Alorton into Cahokia Heights in 2020 helped them make amends.
We “apologized deeply to each other and promised to work together for the betterment of Alorton,” Reed said. “I am not going to lie. I didn’t have the courage nor the strength to do it. Without (Cahokia Heights Mayor) Curtis McCall, there would not have been any forgiveness or pledge of solidarity. He showed me and Randy how we had to move forward and put Alorton first and work together for the betterment of the village.
“I am forever grateful. Both of us were at peace after we put away our fierce competitiveness.”
Talking about her husband’s sudden death, McCallum said, “Randy fought his battle like the real soldier he was — with dignity and pride. Though his family and friends will forever miss him, we all know Randy has finally found his peace.”
McCallum was a very loving husband, father and grandfather, his wife said.
“He especially loved his mother,” Gwen McCallum said.
A private service will be held Friday, Dec. 10.
This story was originally published December 2, 2021 at 11:01 AM.
