Boards & Commissions
Boards & Commissions
The City of West Chicago has eight separate Boards and Commissions, and appointments are typically reserved for residents. All Board and Commission members serve as volunteers of the City and serve at the convenience of the Mayor, who appoints members to Boards and Commissions with the concurrence of the City Council, where such appointment requires it.
View the public meeting schedule and view all the public meetings agendas and minutes on the City's website.
The City's Boards and Commissions, consist of the following:
Board & Commission Application
Members of the public that are interested in serving on a Board or Commission, may complete a Boards and Commission Application form. The completed application may be submitted to the Office of the Mayor by emailing it to info@westchicago.org, or by faxing it to (630) 293-3028. Please call (630) 293-2200 ext. 170 for any questions.
Boards & Commissions Handbook
In addition to the application, volunteers must sign the Boards and Commissions Handbook, which lays out some simple rules of decorum and expectations for volunteer members.
Civil Service Commission
The Civil Service Commission is established by State Statute and exists to assess the City’s hiring practices for Police. It ensures that the City impartially recruits and selects qualified candidates for employment. It also hears employee discipline cases.
Members: Keith Letsche (Chairperson), Kevin Millon and Edmond Moore
Cultural Arts Commission
The Cultural Arts Commission functions to foster the arts in West Chicago. This is done through advising the city council on supporting cultural arts, enriching the community's quality of life through the development of diverse arts programs, fostering unity and collaboration among local arts groups, promoting arts events, and assisting local arts groups with funding, grants, planning, and legal matters relating to arts.
Read more about the Cultural Arts Commission in the City’s Municipal Code.
Members: Heidi Kuharich (Chair), Gene "Buddy" Plumlee, Uwe Gsedl, Deborah Walsh, Jacob Hernandez, Maria Paulina Garcia and Bruce Treudt
Economic Development Commission
The Economic Development Commission functions to cultivate an environment in which commercial, cultural and community enterprises will flourish. They will accomplish this by working with the City Council and City Staff to realize appropriate goals and objectives relating to sound business policies, an increased tax base and employment opportunities.
Read more about the Economic Development Commission in the City's Municipal Code.
Members: Steve Beles (Chair), Sarah Harms, Morgan Johnson, Mark Moran, Omar Espinosa, and Dave Sabathne
Environmental Commission
The Environmental Commission has an interest in protection and improvement of the environment, efficient management of natural resources, and enhancing the aesthetic appearance of the City. The Commission is tasked with keeping the Mayor and City Council informed about state and federal environmental laws that may necessitate their attention. Furthermore, the committee makes recommendations to enhance the city's environment through policies, programs, and goals that align with state and federal regulations as well as community feedback.
Read more about the Environmental Commission in the City's Municipal Code.
Members: Robert Blaus, Thomas F. Cherrington, Nazree Diane Williams, Allen A. Rodriguez, Tyler Kesler and Victoria Burris
Historical Preservation Commission
The commission’s role is to provide input to the Mayor and City Council on all historical sites in the City. This includes ensuring that historical sites in town are properly recognized and maintained, as well as recommendations pertaining to the historic district. The commission also works to assist historical property owners to secure funding through grants or donations.
Read more about the Historical Preservation Commission in the City's Municipal Code.
Members: Keith Letsche (Chair), Richard Vigsnes, Reverend Bill Andrews, SueEllen Edwards, Wendy Christman, Jarod Pletcher, and Tom Cherrington.
Liquor Control/Tobacco Commission
This Commission exists as an administrative body for the Liquor and Tobacco licenses in the City. It approves licenses and renewals and then sends them to City Council. It also handles suspension and revocation of licenses, holding hearings when necessary.
Members: Mayor Ruben Pineda, Alderman Rebecca Stout, and Alderman Sandy Dimas
Plan Commission/Zoning Board of Appeals
The Plan Commission and Zoning Board of Appeals role is to review and make recommendations on matters related to zoning. This includes hearings on amendments to the zoning ordinance and maps, reviewing plats of subdivisions, hearing appeals, and holding hearings on special use permits and other developments.
Read more about the Plan Commission/Zoning Board of Appeals in the City's Municipal Code.
Members: Barbara Laimins (Chairperson), David Kasprak, Bradley Henkin, Tony Banasiak, Hannah Billingsley, Thomas M. Slattery and Jenaro Yasit Terrazas.
Police Pension Fund Board
The Police Pension Fund Board is established by State Statute and made up of two Mayor appointed members, two active participants in the pension fund elected by their peers, and one member elected by the beneficiaries. These members make recommendations and inform the Council on all matters related to the fund and its condition.
Members: John Zurick, Dan Herbert, Anthony Cargola, Michael Guttman, Tia Messino