New Lake Villa trustee has deep roots in the community

When Lake Villa Mayor Frank Loffredo looked over prospects to fill a vacancy on the village board, Jeffrey Nielsen stood out.

"It was obvious," Loffredo said Tuesday. "Jeff has the experience and roots in the community and will be a great addition to the board."

Loffredo needed to fill the spot left by trustee Ray Jelinek, who stepped down last month for personal reasons.

Nielsen will be sworn in during the board's meeting Tuesday night.

A lifelong resident of the village, Nielsen said his family has a long history in town.

"We go all the way back to great-grandma," Nielsen said Tuesday. "Our family business is here, my wife was born and raised here as well." Nielsen, 40, is the sales manager at Nielsen Enterprises, a recreational vehicle dealer.

He ran for trustee a eight years ago and lost, but Nielsen said that was a good thing.

"Had I won, I never would have gotten as involved with the village as I have," he said. "I've served on the plan commission, economic development committee, parks and recreation. I've spent a lot of time in the village hall."

Nielsen is involved in coaching for his two children's sports teams and is active in his church. He's looking forward to serving on the board.

"I'm very honored to be appointed," Nielsen said. "I'm going to give it everything I've got."