Clerk steps up to Round Lake Beach village board

Her interests and pursuits over the years have given Sylvia Valadez a close view of community doings in Round Lake Beach. Now she's among the decision-makers.

On Monday night, Valadez was tapped to fill a vacancy on the village board. The longtime village resident was elected village clerk in 2001 and re-elected in 2005. She resigned that post to serve as trustee.

"I felt during all these years as village clerk, I've gained a lot of knowledge and experience about decision-making," she said Tuesday. "It's an honor."

She fills the spot made available when Nemesio "Poncho" Villa resigned in December. Villa had been elected to a four-year term in April 2007 but moved out of town.

Valadez will serve until April 2009, the next municipal election. At that time, anyone who wants to run for the remainder of Villa's term can do so. The mayor and three trustee positions also will be on that ballot.

Valadez has been involved in many community activities since moving to the village of 26,000 about 29 years ago.

She served on the board of directors of the Hispanic Resource Center and has been active in other programs, including a violence prevention program for Round Lake area schools and the Round Lake Area BEST (Bringing Everyone's Strengths Together) Committee.

Given that interaction in the community and close association with the village board, Valadez said she has been interested in becoming a trustee for the last year or so. She was selected by Mayor Rich Hill and unanimously approved by other board members.

Her full-time job is as an employment security program representative for the Illinois Department of Employment Security.

"Sylvia understands how important it is to have accurate documentation. Sylvia works with many departments and organizations that will be of great value to our residents," Village Administrator David Kilbane said in a release.

With Valadez gone, village staff will handle day-to-day duties of the clerk's position. That spot also is up for election in 2009 but the village before then may pursue a referendum to make the job an appointed position.

About half of Lake County's 52 communities have appointed clerks, including Vernon Hills, Antioch and Grayslake, according to the village.