By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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ROCKFORD — Former Winnebago County Board member Isidro Barrios took his oath of office Monday to serve in the City Council seat of his friend Tuffy Quinonez, who died after suffering a stroke about a month ago.
City Council members approved Mayor Tom McNamara’s selection of Barrios a week ago. The former construction union laborer and foreman will represent the city’s 11th Ward, which is in south central Rockford and includes the Broadway business district.
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In an emotional moment, Barrios took the nameplate that once marked Quinonez’s seat on the council floor and presented it to Martine Guerrero, Quinonez’s daughter.
Barrios then took his seat on the council and thanked his fellow aldermen for giving him the opportunity to succeed his friend in the 11th Ward.
Barrios, who was a County Board member from 2009-2012, was also a superintendent and estimator for Mohawk Contracting Co., and he spent 16 years as an instructor for the Chicago Regional Council of Carpenters Apprentice and Training Program.
Quinonez was a retired barbershop owner and U.S. Army veteran who was elected to the City Council in February 2017. He then earned more than 60% of the vote to win reelection in February 2021. He died Feb. 25 at age 76.
This article is by Kevin Haas. Email him at khaas@rockrivercurrent.com or follow him on Twitter at @KevinMHaas or Instagram @thekevinhaas