South Elgin village administrator plans to retire

After 13 years as South Elgin's village administrator, Larry Jones plans to retire this spring, and community development director Steve Super is expected to take over the position.

Jones, whose $136,000 yearly contract ends April 30, said he planned to leave last year, but agreed to stay on after former Village President Jim Hansen — who died Nov. 1 — was diagnosed with cancer. Jones said his contract had a 30-day notice clause.

The village board named Super deputy village administrator Monday so the transition process can begin, Village President Steve Ward said. Super will work alongside Jones in preparing the upcoming fiscal year's budget.

“It's a matter of letting him sit in through the process of what Larry does day to day, so he can slide right into the position,” Ward said.

Ward said he had considered soliciting candidates for the position, but decided there was no need to look elsewhere.

“When you have the talent in-house, with the knowledge of everything that's going on, I felt it was a good move,” he said.

Super, 47, started working for the village in 1999. He and his wife, Dana, live in Bartlett.

Super took a year off to finish his master's degree in public administration at Northern Illinois University, then came back in 2001 to take on his current position.

“I've learned a lot watching Larry,” Super said. “I've spent half my professional career in South Elgin. I've learned to care quite a bit about the town, the people and the board, and I think it's a great opportunity.”

Jones, 64, was raised in Elgin and has lived in South Elgin since 1969. He and his wife, Whitney, have a daughter who's a senior at South Elgin High School.

He started working with the village as a patrolman in 1970, and retired as police chief in 2000.

“It's exciting what I've seen the village go through and where the village has gone. A lot of interesting things have happened, and there are things that are looming on the horizon. I just think it's probably time to do be done.”

Jones said he had planned to retire after the hiring of new public works director Richard Gallas, who started in September.

Then Hansen was diagnosed with lung cancer in May, and Jones said he committed to remain in his post while Hansen fought his illness.