The East St. Louis City Council voted unanimously Tuesday night to replace the current city manager, Deletra Hudson.
A new city manager, who was not named, is slated to take over the reins in a couple of weeks.
It was a quick, 5-minute special meeting Tuesday night in the City Council chambers. The only item on the agenda was an item listed as “Contractual agreement/obligation for current and new city manager.”
Mayor Emeka Jackson-Hicks presided at the meeting. She did not provide details of either agreement. The new city manager's name was not revealed.
After the meeting, three of the four council members talked about why they voted to part ways with Hudson, to whom they have been committed for five years.
Council member LaToya Greenwood, chairman of the council’s Public Safety Committee, said, “The mayor felt a new direction was needed with new staff to bring new energy.”
Asked whether there was discussion before a move was made, Greenwood said there was some discussion among individual council members. She was not certain but thinks the new city leader will come aboard July 13.
Councilman Robert Eastern III said his decision to vote to remove Hudson was not an easy one. He said he had developed a working relationship with Hudson.
“She’s been with the city for five years. But, the mayor wants to go in a new direction. I support the mayor. She’s our commander in chief. It saddens me that we had to let Deletra go. I wish her and her family well,” Eastern said.
Council member June Hamilton-Dean said she voted yes to sever ties with Hudson “because the mayor wants to take the city in a new direction."
“She’s building her cabinet. I support her 100 percent. We campaigned on accountability, transparency and implementation. The mayor has some great ideas for the city. She needs qualified people in those positions,” Hamilton-Dean said.
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