East St. Louis hires new city manager

The new East St. Louis city manager is a young local attorney born and raised in East St. Louis.

Courtney Logan, 30, was unanimously approved at a special city council meeting Wednesday night. Logan said he is pleased he has been given an opportunity to put his vision in place for the people of East St. Louis.

“I am very excited. I have an opportunity to do a lot of good for a lot of people. To say I am excited is an understatement,” Logan said. “When I look at my life and all the things I have done. I feel like it is in line with my passion. It’s an opportunity for me to effect change. I want to see East St. Louis be a better place.”

Asked whether the politics in the city may get in the way, Logan said he didn’t know.

“All I can do is the best I can for the city of East St. Louis,” Logan said.

Logan is the fifth city manager in nine months. He will earn a salary of $100,000 a year.

On the first day of his new job, Logan said his task was “assessing things.”

“I will be in meetings to come up with a strategic plan to assess the current status of city hall to figure out what issues and efficiencies we need to address,” Logan said.

Logan is not sure how long it will take him to assess the city.

Former city manager Edith Moore was in the job for about three and a half months. She has returned to her job as community development director.

Mayor Emeka Jackson-Hicks chose Logan and presented him to the city council for their support.

“I am excited that the city council unanimously supported our new city manager,” Jackson-Hicks said. “Courtney Logan brings accountability, transparency, integrity, a new progressive energy and stamina.”

Logan is an attorney and teaches law at Saint Louis University. He is a former assistant state’s attorney under St. Clair County State’s Attorney Brendan Kelly.

Jackson-Hicks said Logan has “the vision and the passion to move East St. Louis forward.”

Councilwoman June Hamilton-Dean described Logan as “young, gifted and very spiritual. He’s a proven leader based on the path he’s chosen for his life,” she added. “I think this will be exciting for the young people in the community. He’s lived his life the way he should. You reap the fruits of your labor.”

“I fully support the new city manager’s vision for the city. We couldn’t have a better leader to move the city forward. He has my full support.”

Councilman Robert Eastern III said he’s looking forward to moving toward a new vision in the city.

“I am elated that the city council unanimously supported the new city manager. I think it’s time for us as a city council, a city, public servants and politicians to support the city manager and put East St. Louis first,” Eastern said. “He has skills for a new future for East St. Louis. I applaud the mayor for bringing Courtney Logan to the forefront. I am really excited about East St. Louis’ future.”

This story was originally published April 14, 2016 at 4:44 PM with the headline "East St. Louis hires new city manager."