Roger Agpawa facts for kids

Roger A. Agpawa (born in 1961) is an American politician who serves as the Mayor of Markham, Illinois. Markham is a small town located near Chicago. Before becoming mayor, he worked as a fire chief.

About Roger Agpawa

Roger Agpawa has lived in Markham since the 1960s. He started his career as a fire chief in a nearby town called Country Club Hills. Later, he became the first African-American fire chief in Markham.

Becoming Mayor

In April 2018, Roger Agpawa was elected mayor of Markham. He took over from Ernest Blevins, who had been serving as acting mayor.

There was a legal discussion about whether he could hold the office because of something that happened many years ago. However, he had received a special document called a "Restoration of Rights of Citizenship." This document was signed by the Governor of Illinois, Bruce Rauner, on September 14, 2018. This document allowed him to serve as mayor.

Agpawa was officially sworn into office on September 25, 2018. A few days later, a judge confirmed that he was legally able to serve. This was a unique situation, and his swearing-in ceremony went ahead as planned.

His Role in the Community

Besides serving the people of Markham, Mayor Agpawa is well-known among other city leaders in the southern suburbs. He has connections with lawmakers, politicians, and business leaders from his time as a fire chief.

In April 2021, the citizens of Markham re-elected him for a second term as mayor.

In August 2021, the highest court in Illinois, the Supreme Court, made a decision about his eligibility. They stated that the previous court was wrong to question if he could be a candidate for mayor. This was because he had obtained the document from Governor Rauner that restored his rights.