The Village of Stickney mourns the loss of Mayor Jeff Walik

The Village Board and the entire Village mourn the loss of our beloved Mayor Jeff Walik. "The Mayor" passed away May 9, 2026 surrounded by his family.  He was 60.
Jeff was a lifelong resident of Stickney and served on the Stickney Police Department from 1987 to 2008.
He served as a Village Trustee from 2009 to 2013. Wanting better things for the Village, Jeff ran for mayor and was elected in 2017.
He lived a life of dedicated service to the village. He loved the people, especially the seniors and veterans.
His personality was infectious! His humor was enchanting, and his concern for the village and it's residents and businesses was undeniable. Known to go out and shake everyone's hand before a board meeting, crack a joke here and there and always tell any students in attendance that needed a signature to hold onto the one he signed , as "one day they will be worth money."  Jeff also loved the villages Family Day  around Labor Day weekend. His highlight was the fireworks display which he promised would be better each year, and he did not disappoint!
He was a dedicted leader which every board member, department head, staff, appointees, commitees and volunteers loved to be around and loved him! His dedication to get things done, and done as soon as possible  was his goal, and he did just that.
Attorney Michael Del-Galdo, whose law firm represents the Village of Stickney praised Mayor Walik for the man he was.
"Jeff Walik dedicated his life to public service, both as a police officer and the Mayor of Stickney. Whenever you saw Jeff, you couldn't help but smile. His warmth,energy, and infectious personality touched everyone around him. He had a genuine love for people and for life itself. His family, friends, and the residents of Stickney were truly fortunate to have him in our lives, because he made all of us better simply by knowing him," Del-Galdo said.
Thank you Mayor Jeff Walik for all that you did for the Village of Stickney! You were one of a kind, and none of us will ever forget how wonderful you were!