Bensenville losing a real treasure

Over the last few years, I've become disillusioned with leadership from our national and state officials. The complete opposite is true when it comes to the Bensenville Community Public Library. Thanks to the strong leadership from Jill Rodriguez, the library's director, Bensenville has a genuine treasure in its library. Regretfully, after 31 years as BCPL's director, she will be retiring at the end of September.

Jill is a rarity in this era in which government moves slowly, lacks compromise, innovation and passion for progress. Jill never allowed continual library referendum failures to inhibit the growth of vital programs, materials and services to the community. Her vision was to make the library the very best.

Just one example of her drive was the library building expansion due to collaboration with Bensenville Elementary School District 2. Jill pursued and received an Illinois State Library competitive grant to construct the Lifelong Learning Center, a building of multi-shared usage with the library, school district and community. Jill is well respected at the state level, demonstrating numerous accomplishments through many grants, by developing original ideas and perhaps, more significantly, successfully implementing them.

Jill serves as a model of diplomacy when dealing with board members, community leaders and administrators from local taxing bodies. She has never lost sight of what would be good for the community. And, as far as the community goes, she has been heavily involved in programs outside the library. She will be missed as a member of Bensenville's Arts Council, Youth Services Coalition, Rotary Club and Bensenville Intergovernmental Group.

I wish to publicly thank Jill for her tremendous dedication in serving Bensenville since 1977. Her countless achievements have affected many people and will continue to do so for many years. She's left a truly positive impact on our community.

Carol Schoon

Bensenville