Jacob Darby sworn in as new Streator council member

‘I hope to serve my community,’ new council member says

Jacob Dary (right) takes his oath of office Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2022, at Streator City Hall. He becomes the city's newest council member, filling the vacancy left when Tara Bedei was appointed mayor. City Clerk Patricia Henderson (left) reads the oath for Darby to recite.

After taking his oath of office during Wednesday night’s Streator City Council meeting, Jacob Darby thanked the council for appointing him to fill the vacancy.

“I hope to serve my community,” said Darby, 37, who works as a manager at Streator Eagle 6.

Darby fills the vacancy left when Tara Bedei was appointed mayor. She succeeded the late Jimmie Lansford, who resigned Dec. 31. The council announced Feb. 8 that Darby was selected out of two candidates for the post. His term will expire April 2023, then the seat will be up for election.

Darby is a father of five, who has been a Streator resident for eight years.