Supervisor retiring next month after 30 years in government

St. Charles Township Supervisor Jerry Swanson will retire June 10 and his replacement is expected to be named during a special board meeting this week.

“It’s been an absolute privilege to serve township residents. I hope in their minds I have served well,” Swanson said in a statement.

Swanson has served as supervisor since May 1995. He began his township service in 1981 as a trustee. In 1993 he was elected township clerk.

At last week’s township meeting, the board nominated John Arthur Anderson, a senior trustee, to complete Swanson’s unexpired term, which ends in May 2013.

The special board meeting to name Anderson will begin at 7 p.m. Wednesday at township headquarters, 1725 Dean St., St. Charles.

While Swanson served as supervisor, he was also a 10-year member of the Township Officials of Illinois and Township Supervisors of Illinois boards. He was president of the TSI from 2006 to 2008. The board was responsible for implementing a statewide education program for supervisors and dealing with legislative issues effecting 1,432 townships.

Swanson has also served 10 years on the Mid Valley Neighborhood Improvement Association Board, 10 years on the Salvation Army board of directors, and nine years on the St. Charles Heritage Center Board. He is a member of the St. Charles Noon Kiwanis.

Anderson has a long history of community involvement. He has been on the township board since 1999, served 20 years on the St. Charles Board of Zoning Appeals and is a member and past chairman of the Tri-Cities Salvation Army Board and treasurer of the Pioneer Sholes School. He is a charter member of Hosanna! Lutheran Church and a 30-year member of the Tri-City Exchange Club. He is a 1970 graduate of St. Charles East High School and a 1974 graduate of Augustana College in Rock Island.