‘Prioritize things differently’: Connell resigns from Libertyville village board
The Libertyville village board is at full strength with the appointment Tuesday of a familiar name to fill a vacancy.
Andrew Herrmann, who fell short in the April 1 election, will serve the remaining two years of Jim Connell’s term. Connell was chosen in 2021 to fill Mayor Donna Johnson’s remaining two-year trustee term as she ran unopposed and then elected in 2023 to a full four-year term.
Connell ran a marketing business before being hired in October 2023 as the executive director of community programs at the College of Lake County in Grayslake.
In a social media post Tuesday night, Connell thanked Johnson and others who have served noting the “enormous commitment” of time and energy it entails. He said that with responsibilities growing at CLC and other considerations, something had to give and it was time to step away from elected office.
“A health diagnosis last year made me realize I need to prioritize some things differently,” he wrote. “I'll be fine but it’s important to focus on taking better care of myself.”
Johnson nominated and the village board approved Herrmann to fill the spot. Newly reelected Trustee Casey Rooney was absent and newcomer Kara Macdonald was the sole vote against.
Herrmann ran with Rooney and incumbent Matt Krummick, who also was reelected, and finished last of five candidates for three seats. Patrick Scheibler, a pharmaceutical sales director, finished fourth with 113 votes or about 1 percentage point ahead of Herrmann, a real estate broker.
Connell in his post thanked Johnson for appointing him, helping him understand how the village runs and room to form his own opinion. Boards don’t always agree, he added, but Johnson and the rest of the board were respectful and supportive, he added.
He said Herrmann has been a great contributor on the village’s advisory economic development commission and helped launch the business recognition program, and brings thoughtfulness and expertise to the job.
“Our mayor and current board members care deeply about our village and they have my full support,” Connell said.
One social media poster said Herrmann would be a good trustee but noted voters chose Scheibler ahead of him.
“It has nothing to do with the election,” Johnson said Wednesday. “I make all my appointments based on experience and background” … and what’s in the best interest of the village, she added.
During the campaign, Herrmann said balancing growth and development while preserving Libertyville’s unique character and quality of life are among the most serious issues facing the village in coming years.