Niles Mayor Nicholas Blase was a tireless advocate for his community, even as he faced federal charges that he accepted kickbacks for 30 years

Niles Mayor Nicholas Blase was a tireless advocate for his community, even as he faced federal charges that he accepted kickbacks for more than 30 years.But Blase, 80, said he was just plain tired and had left for a family vacation spot in Wisconsin before formally stepping down as the suburb's 47-year mayor as of 5 p.m. Monday.
Village Board members preparing to choose an interim mayor from among their ranks at a Tuesday meeting took Blase at his word."I think he's just generally tired," said Trustee Andrew Przybylo. "He wanted to step away before the political season got up and running."Przybylo called Trustee Robert Callero the logical choice to replace Blase because of his business background as a certified public accountant and his work with the board's finance committee. Callero could not be reached Monday.
Blase announced his plans to retire in a message to Niles residents that was posted this weekend on the village Web site.In his statement, Blase said he "had no intention of running again because at 80 years of age and 47 years of Mayoring, I am tired. I am retiring early so a Mayor candidate can start campaigning now without the question 'is Mayor Blase going to run again?' "Village Manager George Van Geem said Monday morning that Blase had left for Wisconsin and was unavailable for comment.A federal trial on mail fraud and tax evasion charges was scheduled to begin Sept. 8 but has been canceled. Prosecutors declined to comment on whether a plea agreement was in the works or if the charges against Blase might be dropped. A status hearing in the case is scheduled for Sept. 11.Blase's lawyer, Sheldon Zenner, also declined to comment on the status of the federal case, which has been hovering over Niles and its mayor for two years."He will not be available for an interview," Zenner said via e-mail.Blase told Przybylo a week ago of his plan to retire, but did not mention any intention to settle the federal case."He always told me he's going to go to trial," Przybylo said.But Przybylo said the pressure of a federal indictment could shake anyone."There's no question," he said. "When the federal government pulls you out of your house in the morning, and takes you to jail in your bedroom slippers, it puts pressure on you."That's what happened on June 8, 2006—on Blase's 78th birthday.Blase has pleaded not guilty to charges that he pressured Niles businesses to buy insurance through Ralph Weiner & Associates, a Wheeling insurance agency. The agency secretly kicked back 20 percent of its commissions from Niles businesses to a shell company effectively controlled by the mayor, the charges allege.Przybylo said he would not throw his hat into the ring for interim mayor when the board meets behind closed doors Tuesday night. But he did not rule out running for the office in April."I would run, maybe, in the future," he said. "I have a contribution to make."He said a state law prohibiting elected officials from holding liquor licenses is open to interpretation. His family owns the White Eagle restaurant and banquet hall in Niles."That is certainly a factor in my decision," he said. "I am not going to walk away from a family business of more than 70 years."Przybylo said he would keep an open mind about the choice for interim mayor but said Callero would be a logical choice because Niles depends so heavily on sales tax for revenue.But Przybylo also suggested longtime Trustees Louella Preston and Bart Murphy were potential interim successors to Blase. Neither could be reached Monday.Trustee Kim Biederman said she would be willing to be considered for mayor.
She said Blase's focus on bringing in sales-tax revenue to the village instead of using property taxes has helped make Niles what it is today.Officials said Blase never let the federal allegations affect his job."I think he did a good job dealing with it," Van Geem said. "He didn't come in wringing his hands about it."