OAK PARK, Mich. — The Oak Park City Council voted Monday to appoint Rebecca Berman to fill the council vacancy created by the resignation of former Council Member Shaun Whitehead. Berman was sworn in this Tuesday by City Clerk Ed Norris and will take a ceremonial oath of office at the regular City Council meeting on Monday, July 20, 2026.

Berman has been a longtime Oak Park resident and is a dedicated wife, mother, community leader, and communications professional. She currently serves as Director of Communications and Community Engagement at Partners Detroit, where she leads public outreach initiatives, coordinates community programming, and works closely with residents, nonprofits, and local stakeholders across Oak Park and Southeast Michigan. She is also an active advocate for families, including those navigating special education and healthcare systems, informed in part by her lived experience.

“We are thrilled to welcome Rebecca Berman to the Oak Park City Council,” said Oak Park Mayor Marian McClellan. “She shares a passion for people and a desire for inclusivity and accessibility that aligns wonderfully with our city values.”

Berman was one of 16 candidates who submitted a resident application, and one of six finalists interviewed live during a Special City Council Meeting on June 8, 2026. Council deliberations took place at the June 15, 2026 meeting. Although council members expressed gratitude for the depth of qualified applicants, after some deliberation they reached a 3-1 decision to appoint Berman.

The Oak Park City Charter dictates that any council vacancy must be filled within 30 days and allows for direct appointments by the remaining council members. To foster meaningful civic engagement, the City Council opted for a public application process to inform its choice. Berman’s appointment was finalized within the allotted 30-day window.

About the City of Oak Park

The City of Oak Park was founded in 1945 as a commuter community and remains an integral inner-ring suburb of Metro Detroit. Oak Park is known for its tight-knit neighborhoods, tree-lined streets and wooded parks. Today, the city offers a quaint, yet vibrant atmosphere rich with history, culture, diversity and opportunity. The city continues to build upon a strong tradition of attainable housing options, safe and stable neighborhoods, recreational amenities and close proximity to Metropolitan Detroit. Oak Park has experienced a recent wave of reinvestment, new development, events, eateries and more. To learn more about all things Oak Park, visit www.oakparkmi.gov and follow the city on social media.