Cook Memorial library board member quits
Cook Memorial Public Library District board member Chris Dalton has quit, officials said Monday.
Dalton, of Mundelein, resigned Dec. 15, but neither he nor the Libertyville-based board publicly announced the vacancy.
Board President Bonnie Quirke on Monday confirmed Dalton left the seven-member panel, saying he had a work-related conflict.
Dalton was elected in 2007, and his term would have ended in spring 2011.
When reached Monday, Dalton said he is most proud of the board's successful efforts to build a new library in Vernon Hills and expand the existing library in Libertyville.
Both construction projects are under way now.
But Dalton also voiced displeasure with the politics leading to the projects. He said he would've preferred a library be built in Vernon Hills, and the Libertyville facility remain unchanged.
Board members and library Director Dan Armstrong championed the $14 million, two-building plan as a way to appease residents in both communities, which long had been at odds over potential library expansion.
The board will appoint someone to finish Dalton's term. The remaining board members will consider appointing one of the applicants who sought to replace former board member Aaron Lawlor when he quit in July 2009, Quirke said.
Tom Milowski of Libertyville was appointed to fill Lawlor's post in October. He and Dalton's eventual successor will be among five trustees up for election in 2011. The terms of Quirke, Karen Broms and Wendy Vieth also end in 2011.
Dalton was the only Mundelein resident on the board. Cook Memorial's two biggest communities are Libertyville and Vernon Hills, but it also includes parts of Mundelein, Indian Creek, Green Oaks and Mettawa.
Dalton's departure comes as the library board is preparing to begin a search for a new director. Armstrong announced last month he will retire at the end of this year.
The library board will meet tonight to discuss replacing Armstrong. It's also set to talk in closed session about replacing Dalton.
The meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. at the Laschen Center, 294 Evergreen Drive, Vernon Hills.