Former Urbana Mayor Jeff Markland Dies

Jeff Markland, who was mayor of Urbana throughout the 1980s, died Monday at his home in the city. He was 70 years old, and the Champaign County Coroner's office attributes his death to natural causes.

Markland served one term on the Urbana City Council before winning election in 1977 to the first of four terms as mayor. Some of the people he appointed are still with the city, including city comptroller Ron Eldridge.

"Jeff really had a deep, deep passion and really cared for the city of Urbana," Eldridge said. "He was very much, I think a moderate, even though he was with the Republican Party, he really did not let national politics enter into the decisions of the city."

Markland's tenure as mayor ended in 1993, when he lost a close race to Democrat Tod Satterthwaite. But Satterthwaite said despite his differences with the Republican Markland, they shared a dedication to improving Urbana's business climate and neighborhoods. He credits Markland with finding good people for Urbana's top administrative positions.

"Once you had the qualified people there, let them do their job," Satterthwaite said in describing Markland's approach. "And of course, he would direct them on what kind of projects he would like to see, but let them find out what was going on in their area, and let them bring suggested projects back to him and the council for review and approval."

In addition to Eldridge, Public Works Director Bill Grey is the other Markland appointee who is still with the city of Urbana. Grey said he was attracted to Urbana by Markland's stability and professionalism. Funeral services for Jeff Markland are pending. Renner-Wikoff in Urbana are handling the arrangements.