Mount Prospect leaders laud Wilks at final board meeting

Mount Prospect village trustees honored outgoing Mayor Irvana Wilks for her more than two decades of public service Tuesday at her final village board meeting.

Trustees passed a resolution expressing affection and appreciation for Wilks, who decided not to seek a third term as mayor this year.

The measure states that Wilks has been “a respected community leader” and “a woman of many hats,” including professional writer, published poet, political activist and the only mayor in the village’s history to hold a second-degree black belt in judo.

The resolution notes Wilks has been “intimately involved in the thoughtful development of Mount Prospect,” beginning with her appointment to the Business District Development and Redevelopment Commission by then-Mayor Carolyn Krause. In 1991, Wilks was elected village trustee, a post she held until 2005, when she was elected mayor.

Several accomplishments were mentioned, including her championing of a villagewide flood control program and the Levee 37 project, as well as Randhurst Village. She has also, the resolution noted, been deeply involved in the civic and cultural exchanges with sister city Sevres, France.

Trustee Paul Hoefert personally thanked Wilks, saying that while the resolution says a lot, there is a lot more that she has done in her 44 years in Mount Prospect.

Wilks thanked voters for electing her and for re-electing the incumbent village trustees who ran in this month’s election.

“It’s such an honor,” she said. “It’s an honor that people trust you with this seat.”

Wilks will be succeeded next month by Trustee Arlene Juracek, who ran unopposed for mayor in the April 9 election.

Wilks will be honored again on April 26 at a ceremony at village hall.