Paying tribute to Michael Caldwell’s dry wit and legal expertise, the Woodstock City Council bid a formal farewell this week to its attorney of 25 years.
Caldwell was recently named an associate judge of the 19th District of the Illinois Circuit Court.
Mayor Alan Cornue presented a resolution at a City Council meeting Tuesday, naming Caldwell “City Attorney Emeritus” and thanked him for his years of service to the city. Other accolades came from members who had crossed swords with Caldwell.
“We’ve disagreed before,” newly-elected Councilman Jim Young said, “but you’ve always shown me courtesy. We need a few more attorneys like yourself for taking your profession seriously.”
Other kudos came from Councilman R.B. Thompson, who said, “I’ve grown to admire Mike’s presentations. He’s very clear. He’s helped me understand municipal law.”
Noting that the time he has put in as city attorney “has often been tedious, but never boring,” Caldwell said the experience “has made me a better lawyer all around.”
