Former Barrington Hills president dies

James Kempe, who served five terms as village president of Barrington Hills, is being remembered by those with whom he served in the greater Barrington area.

Kempe died at his home July 17 at the age of 82. He was first elected to the Barrington Hills village board in 1973 and was village president from 1985 to 2005.

Among his remarkable achievements was earning a law degree and starting a second career as a practicing attorney, after he'd already retired from a 35-year career with Illinois Bell. His last position there was assistant vice president of engineering.

Janet Agnoletti, executive director of the Barrington Area Council of Governments since 2000, said she really began applying her professional city planning skills locally when Kempe appointed her to the Barrington Hills plan commission in 1990.

Kempe was well respected in the community, Agnoletti said, for his ability to bring together his many areas of expertise to understand and solve problems that challenged the core identity of Barrington Hills and the entire Barrington area.

"He was both insightful and forward-thinking," Agnoletti said. "I think he carried on the tradition of Barrington Hills. He got things done through his leadership and he had high expectations of other people."

Among the current BACOG members, South Barrington Village President Frank Munao served with Kempe the longest. But even apart from BACOG, Barrington Hills and South Barrington have had a special relationship that began long before both men's service and which will continue long after, Munao said.

"It's sad that Barrington Hills and the community have lost such a fine man as Jim," Munao said.

Kempe's strongest contribution to the Barrington area is one he has in common with many other of its past and present leaders: his steadfastness to retain the character of the community, Munao said.

Barrington Village President Karen Darch also expressed condolences to Kempe's family and community Monday during her village board's meeting.

Kempe is survived by his wife of 57 years, Gerry, as well as three children, five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.