Former Jeb Bush speechwriter now a Grayslake trustee
Adam Shores' political involvement has taken him from being a speechwriter for former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush to being a Grayslake village board trustee.
Grayslake village board members Tuesday night voted 5-0 in favor of ratifying Mayor Rhett Taylor's appointment of Shores to the vacant trustee seat. Shores, 40, replaces Amy Edwards, who resigned last month.
Shores, who works as senior manager of public affairs, government and industry relations for Allstate Corp., said there are issues he wants to address for Grayslake residents, such as economic development and diversifying the tax base. He and his family moved to Grayslake in 2009.
"What can we do to strengthen and enhance small business growth," Shores said after the meeting. "Looking at bringing new businesses into the community, but also what can we do to support our existing businesses."
Shores was a speechwriter in Bush's office from 2004 to 2005. He held other jobs in Florida government, including spokesman for the state's department of education.
"I have a great amount of respect for him because he's a principled leader," Shores said of Bush, who ended his presidential campaign early in the Republican primary season.
Taylor said he wanted to fill the trustee vacancy with someone with relevant government experience or community involvement. Shores has been involved in the community as congregation president at Shepherd of the Lakes Lutheran Church in Grayslake.
"I think you'll fit right in," Taylor told Shores.
Edwards joined the board in May 2005 and was a longtime member of the village's advisory economic development commission, as well as its environmental stewardship committee. Her resignation, which became effective Sunday, came because of a plan to move out of state.
Taylor credited Edwards for being an outstanding village leader who offered sound judgment and valuable insight.
Edwards' term expires in April 2017.