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Western Springs mayor Alice Gallagher dies

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Alice Gallagher, 63, mayor of Western Springs since 2017, passed away unexpectedly on March 21.

An attorney, her political career began when she was elected to the village board in 2013 and then was twice elected mayor.

Prior to being a trustee, she served as president of the Field Park PTO, chair of the Western Springs Foundation for Educational Excellence, and as a member of the Western Springs School District 101 Board of Education.

As mayor, she has served as president of the Central Council of Mayors, a director of the Executive Committee, chair of the Central Council Transportation Committee, and co-chair of the joint Central/North Central Transportation Committee. She also served on the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning Council of Mayors Executive Committee.

In February 2019, Alice was appointed by Governor Pritzker to serve on the board of the Illinois Tollway, where she was chair of the Audit Committee and a member of the Finance, Administration, & Operations Committee, and the Systems Review & Customer Service Committee.

Last fall, she was elected as vice president of the West Central Municipal Conference regional council of government.

She was the beloved wife of John (Terry). Loving mother of John, Tom, Dan, Marilyn, and Joe. Daughter of James A. and the late Marilyn Fitch. Stepdaughter of the late Beth Fitch.  Cherished sister of Jim (the late Nancy) Fitch and Ed (Marybeth) Fitch.

Funeral services have been held.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Hinsdale Humane Society or would be appreciated.

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