7 Lake County Board members, other officials honored for service

Seven outgoing Lake County Board members were honored for their service Tuesday, the last meeting before newly elected officials take over next month.

Three countywide politicians were similarly honored at the board’s meeting in Waukegan.

Every seat on the board, which doubles as the Lake County Forest Preserve District Board, was up for election this month because of Census-related redistricting and a decision. The board also voted to reduce its membership from 23 to 21 members.

County Clerk Willard Helander read resolutions that detailed the accomplishments of each of the departing commissioners. They are:

Ÿ Angelo Kyle, a Waukegan Democrat who’s been on the board since 1990.

Ÿ Stevenson Mountsier, a Lake Barrington Republican who’s been on the board since 1996.

Ÿ Anne Flanigan Bassi, a Highland Park Democrat who joined the board in 2002.

Ÿ Susan Loving Gravenhorst, a Lake Bluff Republican who joined the board in 2002.

Ÿ Melinda Bush, a Grayslake Democrat who first was elected to the board in 2008.

Ÿ Michelle Feldman, a Deerfield Democrat who joined the board in 2008.

Ÿ Jim Newton, a Lindenhurst Republican who was appointed to the board in 2011.

Only Bush is remaining in politics. She will be the new state senator for the 31st District, having been elected two weeks ago.

“I never expected to be standing up here so quickly,” Bush said while at a lectern at the front of the boardroom. “I’ve so enjoyed my time here. I’ve learned tremendously.”

In his remarks Mountsier praised the work of County Administrator Barry Burton and the county staff.

“Don’t ever let them down, and they’ll never let you down,” Mountsier told the board members.

Newton, a former journalist whose appointment to the board surprised many, called the unanimous vote that put him on the panel “one of the great honors of my life.”

Newton also congratulated the board members for working in a nonpartisan manner. The last election showed people are tired of political extremism and partisan gridlock, he said.

Also honored Tuesday were Lake County Circuit Court Clerk Sally Coffelt, State’s Attorney Michael Waller and Coroner Artis Yancey.

Coffelt and Waller opted not to seek re-election. Coffelt has held her post for 32 years. Waller had been on the job for 22 years.

Yancey was appointed coroner in 2011 and lost a Democratic Party primary bid earlier this year.

Gravenhorst and Yancey did not attend the session.