Lombard board appoints new District 2 trustee

Jessica “Jessie” Hammersmith, a 16-year Lombard resident with a professional background in health care, has been appointed a village trustee.

She will fill the seat formerly held by Trustee Anthony Puccio, who was sworn in as village president earlier this month. Hammersmith will serve as the District 2 trustee for the two years left in the term, which concludes in May 2027.

She joined the board dais wearing the color most associated with the Lilac Village: purple. Her appointment comes during Lilac Time, a celebration of the town’s favorite aromatic flowers culminating in a parade on Main Street Sunday.

“This is my first official step into local government and feeling like a real member of my civic community,” Hammersmith said.

She said she’s thankful for the opportunity.

“I was delighted in every interview that I took part in, every person that I've met since I walked in the door, has just reaffirmed why I live here and why I believe that a purple town is where I want to raise my family and activate as a citizen,” Hammersmith said.

Puccio made the appointment with the advice and consent of the board. The village announced in early April that officials were seeking applicants for the open seat.

“We had eight very, very qualified applicants that wanted to step up and serve the village,” Puccio said. “It was a great process, very open. We had interviews, multiple rounds with multiple people. And I'm delighted that I have the ability to appoint Jessica Hammersmith to this position.”