Arlington Heights hires new building department director

Arlington Heights has hired a new administrator to oversee building inspections and permit reviews.

Jorge Torres is the new village building and life safety director, effective Nov. 30, Village Manager Randy Recklaus announced.

Torres, the current building division manager in Highland Park, has some 25 years of experience as a municipal inspector and administrator, and private sector contractor and property manager.

"I believe Mr. Torres will be an outstanding leader for our Building and Life Safety Department, not only because of his experience and expertise, but also his problem-solving customer service philosophy, and open communication style," Recklaus said in a news release.

Torres previously has worked for Waukegan, West Chicago, Park City and Round Lake Park. He is a member of the Northwest Building Officials and Code Administrators board of directors, and is a Certified Building Official with the International Code Council.

He replaces Steve Touloumis, who left after four years this summer to become building commissioner in Bolingbrook.

The Arlington Heights department has a staff of 18 employees who are responsible for reviewing construction documents, conducting inspections, issuing permits and following up on code violations.