Mount Prospect selects new trustee

A former Mount Prospect Park District commissioner took his seat among village board trustees on Tuesday as its latest member.

Steve Polit, who has lived in the village since 1983, replaced Richard Lohrstorfer, who resigned his post for personal reasons last month.

Polit has served the Mount Prospect Parks Foundation and park district. He was a founding member of the village's recycling commission, village officials said.

Polit said he's going to try to get more people involved in local government, so when major projects arise, residents will be in on the process from the start. In some cases, by the time residents come to the board with concerns, a project has been reviewed and vetted by village commissions and staff.

"I'm going to work to involve as many people at the beginning of village projects and not at the end," Polit said. "They come at the last minute after an 18-month process."

Village officials said Polit had been involved with the political process in the village for many years. For instance, Polit co-chaired a committee that worked against a change in village law that would create a ward election system. He organized a group that worked to expand the park board from five to seven members.

Mayor Irvana Wilks put Polit's name forward for the board's review, which voted to accept him. He was sworn in and took his seat at the meeting. Wilks said Polit, 56, would be able to hit the ground running as he's been so involved with the village over the years.

"From budget matters to zoning issues, Polit already has working knowledge of these village responsibilities," Wilks said.

Polit is taking over Lohrstorfer's term, which expires next year. At that time, Polit may run for a 4-year term. He said he has not decided if he will run for office when the term is up.

He's a co-owner of Custom Home Technology, a future automation/integration technology company. He has been married to Helga for 28 years. The pair have tow sons, ages 20 and 22.

Select: New trustee involved in village for years