Carolyn Burns Resigns from Oak Park Council, Applications Accepted to Fill Vacancy

Oak Park, MI – Longtime Oak Park City Councilperson Carolyn Burns has resigned due to health issues.  Her resignation was accepted at the Jan. 6, 2025 City Council meeting.

At the meeting, Mayor Marian McClellan and City Council presented Mayor Pro Tem Carolyn Burns with a formal proclamation recognizing her countless years of leadership and public service.

Burns served on Oak Park City Council since 2013, serving as Mayor Pro Tem for several of those years. She also served as a member of: the Beautification Advisory Commission, Arts and Cultural Diversity Commission, Public Safety Retirement System Board, Brownfield Commission, Corridor Improvement Authority Board, Oak Park Library Board, Recycling and Environmental Conservation Commission, Planning Commission, Parks and Recreation Commission, and was instrumental in the formation of the Oak Park Juneteenth Committee alongside Councilman Whitehead.

In addition to her service to the City of Oak Park, Burns served on the State of Michigan Department of Corrections Parole Board, as a member of Liberty Temple Baptist church, dedicated family member and employee.

“Carolyn Burns embodies the hands-on, hardworking spirit of Oak Park, and the tireless heart of a true public servant,” said City of Oak Park Mayor Marian McClellan. “Her years of dedicated, dependable service to our community as well as her passion for fairness, diversity, faith and community is unwavering. It has been an honor to work alongside her on this council. Words cannot accurately reflect the depths of gratitude and respect that the entire city council, administration, staff and residents have for her as an individual and as a public servant. Thank you, Carolyn, with sincere gratitude and well wishes.”

Applications must be received by noon on Jan 17.

To qualify as an applicant under the eligibility requirements of the City’s Charter, the individual:

• must be a resident of the City of Oak Park for at least one year immediately prior (as of Dec. 31, 2024)
• must be a qualified and registered voter of the City of Oak Park on or before Dec. 31, 2024;
• must be a citizen of the United States;
• must not be in default to the City of Oak Park or to any other governmental unit of the State of Michigan in any manner.

The selected Councilperson is expected to serve until the Nov. 2025 election.