Frank Zuccarelli, longtime Thornton Township supervisor and Democratic Party committeeman who chaired the South Suburban College Board, wielded the sort of political power that commanded respect from top figures in government.
“Frank Zuccarelli was a friend, and not just to me,” Gov. J.B. Pritzker said in a statement. “He delighted in being a friend to many. His legacy reflects his life as he lived it, in service and friendship to the south suburbs community and the students, families and seniors who shape it.”
Zuccarelli died Monday at age 70 at his South Holland home. Paramedics responded to his residence at 1:07 p.m. and Zuccarelli was pronounced dead at 1:18 p.m., according to the village. His death appeared to be the result of natural causes and no foul play was suspected, the village said.
“We mourn the sudden loss of our friend Frank Zuccarelli,” Don De Graff, South Holland mayor since 1994, said in a statement. “He has been a faithful and devoted leader for decades.”
The cause of death was undetermined as of early Tuesday afternoon, according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office.
Zuccarelli served since 1993 as supervisor of Thornton Township. With a population of about 185,000, Thornton is the largest of the state’s 1,434 townships, according to its website.
Political leaders paid tribute to someone who served roles that may require several different people to fill.
“Frank has been a devoted community member and champion for the south suburbs for nearly 40 years, serving on a number of boards for community organizations,” Toni Preckwinkle, Cook County Board president and chair of the county Democratic Party, said in a statement.
Zuccarelli earned $245,960 as supervisor in 2019, according to a Better Government Association database of public salaries. That was more than Preckwinkle, who earned $170,000, or Pritzker, who did not accept his $177,412 salary for governor that year.
As supervisor, Zuccarelli commanded an army of 170 full- and part-time township employees and oversaw an annual budget of $35 million in 2019, according to the Illinois comptroller. By comparison, neighboring Bremen Township’s annual budget was about $1.5 million.
Many people rely on Thornton Township services for assistance with food, housing and other essential services.
“It’s hard to think of any elected official who did more for families and seniors than Frank,” Susana Mendoza, Illinois comptroller, said on social media.
The Thornton Township Board has 60 days to appoint someone to fill the supervisor vacancy. Felons are ineligible. If the township board fails to appoint someone within 60 days, citizens could convene a special meeting as electors and choose a replacement, according to the Illinois State Board of Elections.
Thornton Township borders Indiana and includes all or parts of Burnham, Calumet City, Dixmoor, Dolton, East Hazel Crest, Harvey, Homewood, Lansing, Phoenix, Riverdale, South Holland and Thornton.
Zuccarelli held sway in choosing who would fill township jobs in maintenance, transportation and other positions. As committeeperson of the most populous township he controlled the most weighted votes within the Cook County Democratic Party. Weighted votes help determine who fills vacant elected posts, or which candidates receive the county party’s endorsement for positions such as Illinois secretary of state. Zuccarelli was a committeeperson since 2001.
“While so many wards withered in what we used to call the machine, this old school politician kept delivering,” Bill Cameron, former WLS-AM reporter who retired last year after covering Chicago politics since 1970, wrote on social media.
No one had opposed Zuccarelli in an election for supervisor since 2005, when Bernard P. McCann Sr. of the Freedom Party managed to get a meager 18.5% of the vote. Zuccarelli was first elected in 1978 to an unpaid seat on the board of South Holland-based South Suburban College, a public community college. He chaired the board since 1987.
“Chairman Zuccarelli left an indelible mark on both an institution and a community from his time as South Suburban College student trustee through his 43-year tenure of service to our college board,” college President Lynette Stokes said in a statement.
Zuccarelli enrolled at the school when it was called Thornton Community College in 1974 after attending Thornridge High School in Dolton and later serving as a medic in the U.S. Air Force, the college said.
He earned two associates degrees from South Suburban College and a bachelor’s degree from Governors State University in University Park, according to Thornton Township. Under his leadership, South Suburban College grew to become the third largest of nearly 50 community colleges in Illinois, the college said.
“He was a champion for equity and inclusion and breaking down barriers to higher education,” Stokes said. “His compassion for students and passion for his college were unparalleled.”
South Suburban College also has a campus in Oak Forest. Longtime college trustee John Daly, a former Oak Forest alderman and municipal administrator for Oak Forest and Orland Hills, died Nov. 11 at age 71.
The college board in December selected Vincent Lockett, a Country Club Hills alderman, to fill the vacancy on the seven-member board. Trustee Vivian Payne, who is also Lansing village clerk, said Zuccarelli helped countless people throughout the south suburbs.
“He had an amazing strength in teaching others, of all ages, to volunteer,” Payne said in a statement. “I admired him for that and for his ability to prioritize education and service to community and country.”
Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi said Zuccarelli showed his detailed knowledge about government when the assessor held informational events in the township.
“A straight shooter with a deep love of the Southland, he took pride in understanding the needs of those he served,” Kaegi said in a statement.
Social media posts included thanks from many who said Zuccarelli helped their families. Some said Zuccarelli was like a mentor.
“He was a servant leader, taught me many thinks about public service,” wrote state Rep. Marcus Evans, D-Chicago.
Cook County Clerk Karen Yarbrough said Zuccarelli was a dedicated public servant.
“If the clerk’s office needed election judges he always answered the call to help,” she wrote.
The college said it would share information about funeral services when details became available.
Ted Slowik is a columnist at the Daily Southtown.
