Carpentersville swears in new village president

In the month since Carpentersville voters elected him as their new village president, John Skillman said he has been working tirelessly to lay the groundwork for a successful four-year term.

After being sworn into office Tuesday, the retired fire chief said he's ready to tackle his list of goals for growing, improving and unifying the town in which he has lived his entire life.

"I'm very proud you've all given me support," Skillman told the dozens of residents who filled the village board room. "It's my chance to strengthen our community and bring the community together in one common goal. ... We live in one Carpentersville. We want to be proud of that."

Right away, he said, Skillman wants to conduct internal and external surveys of village employees, residents and stakeholders to determine how best to move forward in developing a strategic plan. He will also have an open-door policy at his newly created office in the village hall, 1200 L.W. Besinger Drive.

"We want to improve our name and improve the village," Skillman said. "We want to bring people to Carpentersville."

Skillman served 29 years on the village's fire department before retiring last year. He came out victorious in the April 4 election over two-term incumbent Ed Ritter, who also previously served as a trustee and sat on various committees.

"I've been able to see a lot of great things happening in Carpentersville, and I have every confidence in knowing when the new board forms, those things will continue," Ritter said in his last speech as village president.

Skillman also presented his predecessor with an award for his 18 years of service and dedication to the community.

"That's a great testimony to the civility of the village," Village Manager Mark Rooney said. "I'm very encouraged by the genuine love for the village moving forward."

Skillman said he looks forward to working with the staff and the village board on several ideas he has been developing over the past few weeks, such as encouraging community policing and strengthening the village's code enforcement. Other long-term goals include helping businesses expand within the village, broadening the tax base and working with other fire entities on consolidation efforts.

Newcomer Diane Lawrence and incumbent Pat Schultz were also sworn in Tuesday as trustees. Re-elected Trustee Kevin Rehberg, who was unable to attend the meeting, is expected to be sworn in later this month.