Roselle to honor retiring mayor

As Mayor Gayle Smolinski retires after 24 years as mayor of Roselle, the village will celebrate her accomplishments next month with a retirement gala.

The festivities will be from 6 to 10 p.m. Friday, May 12, at Pearl Banquets and Conference Center, 1480 W. Lake St., Roselle. Tickets are $35 and available through Friday, April 28, at roselle.il.us/mayor.

Smolinski has lived in Roselle for nearly four decades and served as an elected official for 31 years, including 24 as mayor.

She graduated in 1974 from Bowling Green State University, where she earned her bachelor's degree in journalism/public relations.

In 1986, she began a career in public service when she was appointed to a trustee post on the village board. She was elected as a trustee in 1989 and then as mayor in 1993. She was re-elected mayor five times, and is currently the longest-serving mayor in DuPage County.

Smolinski is a member and past president of the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus, and is a member and past president of the DuPage Mayors and Managers Conference. She sits on the executive board of both groups.

Additionally, she is a director at Schaumburg Bank and Trust, serves on the board of directors for the Hundred Club of DuPage County, and was an executive council member of Chicago Metropolis Strategies.

Her service to the community also includes membership in the Roselle Chamber of Commerce, the American Legion Women's Auxiliary and the advisory board of Stepping Stones, an organization that helps women of domestic violence.