Source: STLToday (The St. Louis Post-Dispatch, St. Louis, MO)
Sterling “Ken” Hardwick is proof that money can buy political power in Illinois. The 61-year-old bought himself the job of mayor for a day in Danville, IL this week by submitting a winning bid of $431.19 on eBay.
“I thought it went so cheap,” Hardwick said. “I’ll go home and remember this the rest of my life.” The mayoral post was one of more than 30 Danville-related items and experiences put up for sale last month on eBay by Downtown Danville Inc., a group that promotes revitalization of the town’s business district.
The auction brought in more than $1,000, which will be used by the organization to fund various programs and events, said a spokeswoman for the group. After Hardwick, a disabled veteran who lives in nearby Potomac, IL, was sworn in as mayor, he toured municipal buildings, attended meetings with city department heads and presided over a city council session. When the city’s real mayor, Scott Eisenhauer, introduced Hardwick to city workers, he explained that his temporary replacement would not have the authority to fire anyone. “The staff was most happy to hear that,” Eisenhauer said.