Palatine honors Wagner for 24 years on village council

When Jack Wagner was first elected Palatine’s District 5 councilman in 1987, the village population was about half of its current 68,500 residents, the downtown had yet to undergo a transformation and gas averaged just 95 cents per gallon.

For helping guide Palatine through the ups and downs of the past quarter-century, officials this week took a moment to honor the council’s longest-serving and often most spirited member.

“There were times when we didn’t agree on everything, but when it came down to the bottom line, we got things done and we got things done for the people of Palatine,” Wagner said Monday in a ceremony before his final council meeting.

The longtime council member lost his seat in the April 5 election to political newcomer Kollin Kozlowski, a risk management executive who won 56 percent of the 1,052 votes cast.

Wagner fondly recalled stories from his six terms, such as when late Mayor Frank Munch threatened council members with $1 fines if they didn’t wear suits.

He also spoke of his advocacy for improved public safety, as evidenced by the numerous uniformed personnel in attendance.

“Palatine is truly a better place for you having served,” said Councilman Greg Solberg, who joined the council just a few months after Wagner.

Solberg presented Wagner with a Palatine sign and announced he’ll be recognized later this year with a permanent bronze plaque at the Palatine Road firehouse, which was built during Wagner’s tenure.

In addition to his time on the council, Wagner helped start the village’s paramedic program in the mid-1970s as a Palatine Board of Health member. He served as a Salt Creek Park District Commissioner from 1983 to 1991 and worked to open the Twin Lakes park development.

Wagner also helped guide Palatine through one of its darkest periods.

In the wake of the 1993 murders of seven workers at the Brown’s Chicken & Pasta restaurant, he served as a liaison to the police department and organized a $100,000 reward fund that ultimately was divided between two witnesses last year after the second killer’s conviction.

Wagner was disappointed by his Election Day loss, saying he hoped to see certain projects through completion, including the opening of new police headquarters, as well as getting improved services from Cook County. But he expressed his gratitude and lauded village staff and officials for their work.

“It’s been a heck of a ride,” Wagner said. “Twenty-four years is a long time and it’s time to move on.”