Island Lake trustee not stepping down after all
With a once-anticipated move to Chicago on hold, Island Lake Trustee Debra Jenkins has shelved plans to resign from the board.
Jenkins publicly announced in October that she intended to resign from the board effective Jan. 15.
The resignation was necessary because she and her husband, Greg, were set to move to Chicago. Under state law, trustees must reside in the towns they serve.
But the couple didn't buy the house they had their eye on, and the search for a new house "has kind of been put on the back burner," Jenkins said.
Because the village board never voted to accept Jenkins' resignation, no formal action was required to let her remain on the seven-member panel. Her most recent board-meeting appearance was Thursday night.
"My goal is (to) finish my term," Jenkins said. "My husband and I took this as a sign that maybe we are meant to live here."
Jenkins was elected to a 4-year term in April 2015. She previously served on the fire and police commission and had gained a reputation as a local activist and a financial supporter of village events and programs.
Mayor Charles Amrich said he's happy Jenkins is sticking around.
"She has a lot of energy," Amrich said. "She has been a positive force on the board."
Jenkins said the house purchase falling through was a blessing in disguise.
"The thought of leaving this community made both of us kind of weepy," she said. "(We) both love being actively involved with our community."