Ruff leaves Palatine park board; Rushing tapped as replacement

Palatine Park District board President Terry Ruff resigned this week.

The park board Monday named real estate agent Michelle Rushing to the board. She will run for election in 2027.

The board also named Greg Sammons board president and Jennifer Rogers vice president.

Ruff, who was reelected in April, said a change in his business situation made it impossible to continue serving on the board.

“My broker dealer was bought out, and their rules did not allow me to continue on the board,” said Ruff, an independent financial adviser.

Ruff said he is proud of his 13 years on the board, pointing to such accomplishments as hiring Executive Director Ben Rea.

Rushing has been involved with youth sports, including baseball and softball programs. She was also head of administration for the Palatine Amateur Football Association.

“I've been on the executive boards for multiple affiliates, so I know what it's like on the volunteer side,” said Rushing, who works along with park board member Sue Gould at Berkshire Hathaway Starck Real Estate in Palatine. “The reason I was excited to do it was to bring the youth sports aspect to the table.”

Rushing was nearly unanimously approved by the board, with Gould abstaining.

“I’ve known her for years,” she said, noting it will be the first time three women are serving on the board. “She’s going to be a great commissioner. I just think it should have been transparent. And we have been criticized for 18 months for not being transparent.”

Gould was alluding to the vote to close the Palatine Stables, an issue Ruff and Rea received criticism over.

Prior to the board’s vote, William Van Giesen, who waged an unsuccessful bid for a seat on the park board this year, expressed his interest in filling the vacancy.

He shared his qualifications, including a master’s degree in recreation administration and his involvement with Celtic Soccer and Palatine baseball and softball.

“I did not come here expecting the appointment to be handed to me. I had hoped for, and believe the situation warrants, a transparent interview process where all interested candidates, including myself, could formally present their qualifications and vision to this board,” said Van Giesen, who added he intends to run in 2027.