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Park Forest Election Results Official, Applicants Sought for Trustee Vacancy


Village Hall, Park Forest, New Years Eve, election results
Village Hall after the New Years Eve 2018 rains fell. (Photo: Gary Kopycinski)

Park Forest, IL-(ENEWSPF)- Park Forest officially has new elected leaders set to be sworn into their posts with the sunset of the current board in May. Election results are now official.

Voting results from the April 4 election became official Tuesday with current Park Forest trustee Jonathan Vanderbilt defeating current Park Forest trustee Mae Brandon along with challengers JeRome Brown, Renee Hawthorne and Sean Hightower for the mayoral seat. Joseph Woods, Candyce Herron, and current Park Forest trustee Tiffani Graham won unopposed for trustee seats on the board.

Two separate board meetings will take place Monday, May 6, beginning at 7 p.m., at Village Hall to transition from the current board to the new board.

Outgoing trustees Mae Brandon and Georgia O’Neill along with outgoing mayor John Ostenburg leave the Park Forest Board of Trustees after serving in elected capacities in Park Forest for nearly 50 years combined.

Vanderbilt’s winning of the mayoral role now leaves his trustee seat, still with two years left in the term, vacant. Park Forest now looks to fill the vacancy.

Qualified candidates may now apply for a two-year term as Park Forest trustee. The application deadline is May 22. Full details follow:

Village Trustee Recruitment

The Village of Park Forest Board of Trustees seeks qualified candidates for the position of Trustee to fill a vacancy for a 2 year term.  It is anticipated that the process will unfold to seat the new Trustee no later than the June 24, 2019 board meeting.  The ideal candidate will have a proven record of community volunteerism and activism.  Candidates must reside in the Village for at least 1 year prior to appointment, meet the legal requirements to take the Oath of Office, and successfully complete a comprehensive background check conducted by the Park Forest Police Department.   

The Board of Trustees have an active, year-long meeting schedule that includes 3 Monday evening meetings and 1 Saturday morning meeting per month.  Additionally, Trustees are assigned as a Trustee liaison, to a minimum of 2 Village commissions that may meet as frequently as twice per month. Participation at annual meetings will include budget meetings, Strategic Planning, and Fall and Spring Updates to the Board.  The Village also promotes several events throughout the year where elected officials may come and interact with the residents.

Park Forest residents interested in applying for this vacancy may do so by submitting a letter along with a minimum of 2 professional letters of recommendation to the Village of Park Forest Board.  The letter should include a description of the applicant’s background and experience, a short history of the applicant’s community involvement, volunteer or work with not-for-profit organizations, a statement explaining why the applicant is interested in serving on the Board, knowledge, skills and abilities he or she would bring to the citizens and the Board and what he or she feels the most current pressing issues are in Park Forest. 

The compensation package includes an annual $7,500 salary (pro-rated by date of appointment), and an option to participate in the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund.

Application packets are to be submitted to: Village of Park Forest Board of Trustees, c/o Village of Park Forest, 350 Victory Drive, Park Forest, IL  60466.  The application deadline is May 22, 2019. Submissions must be post-marked no later than May 22, 2019.

Equal Opportunity Employer

This is a release from the Village of Park Forest.


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