‘An institution’: Elk Grove Village Attorney George Knickerbocker to retire after 54 years

Over the course of more than five decades, Elk Grove Village Attorney George Knickerbocker wrote more than 3,000 municipal ordinances, attended perhaps just as many court hearings and village board meetings, and been the right-hand man for four village managers and three mayors.

Mayor Craig Johnson went a step further saying: Knickerbocker is his whole “right arm,” the Ed McMahon to his Johnny Carson, his consigliere and confidant.

“To say George is an institution here in the village would be understating it,” Johnson said.

Next Friday, Knickerbocker will leave village hall for the final time, two days before the 54th anniversary of when he first entered as legal counsel in 1971.

His longevity arguably puts him on the Mount Rushmore of other noted municipal attorneys past and present, such as Lou Ancel, Arlington Heights, and Schaumburg’s Jack Siegel, and Glendale Heights’ and South Barrington’s Don Storino.

“I’m not going to give a teary, sad emotional farewell,” Knickerbocker said during his final village board meeting earlier this week. “However, there is a lot of emotion inside. And for those who know me, (they) realize how much I care and how I feel about Elk Grove Village.”

Knickerbocker came to his first meeting in Elk Grove when it was just a small town next to the airport, with modest homes and a blue collar work ethic.

But, he says, he observed a strong foundation being built by then-Mayor Chuck Zettek, then-Village Manager Chuck Willis and determined trustees.

“They created a base from which the village started to grow,” Knickerbocker said.

Knickerbocker started as an associate village attorney, but soon became the lead village attorney and prosecutor, representing the municipality in legal matters at the Rolling Meadows courthouse.

He lauded Johnson for his drive and initiative over nearly 29 years as mayor, helping bring an international bike race to town, summer concerts, and sending out gift card tax rebates to residents.

In a sometimes tearful and laughter-filled farewell tribute, Johnson proclaimed Oct. 24 as George Knickerbocker Day in Elk Grove Village, and gifted him the gavel that long has been on the village board dais.

The inscription on its wooden sound block, “LGK,” stands for “Lawyer George Knickerbocker,” the mayor said.

“George is my best friend,” Johnson said. “I love George like family.”