Round Lake fills vacancy on the board

A new Round Lake trustee was sworn in Monday to take the seat of Don Newby, who died March 16.

Newby, 63, died after numerous health complications related to diabetes, said Russell Kraly, a village trustee who was uncontested for mayor in Tuesday's election.

Departing Mayor Dan MacGillis nominated Paul Law to assume Newby's seat. Law resigned from the Avon Township board on Sunday and was unanimously approved by Round Lake trustees. He will hold the position until 2023, according to Illinois state law. MacGillis introduced Law, who works as a software engineer for Snap-On Inc., during a village board meeting on Monday.

"Nobody can deny and not recognize that he had a sense of civic duty like none other," MacGillis said of Newby at the village board meeting. "He was a man of extreme faith. He never gave up and knew tomorrow would be a better day no matter the outcome. We're gonna miss you."

A trustee for 24 years, Newby was a lifelong Round Lake resident and previously served as a volunteer firefighter/EMT with the Greater Round Lake Fire Protection District and on the Round Lake Area Unit District 116 board. He was active in the Fox Lake-Round Lake Area Rotary Club.

Newby was uncontested in Tuesday's election and received 285 votes, unofficial tallies show.

Newby is survived by daughter Marie Nicole Newby, son Donald P. Newby, brothers Thomas and William Newby, sister Sally Knapp and grandchildren, nieces and nephews, according to an obituary.

"I could sit down and talk for days about Don and never be done," Trustee Henry Frye Jr. said. "He became part of my family. When I'm done with this world, I'll get to see him again in the next.

MacGillis said Law was chosen to fill the vacancy because he has been active in village affairs and attended nearly every meeting in the village for two years.

"I'm profoundly humbled to sit in his seat," Law said. "I'm in awe at the thought of attempting to fill his shoes. I hope I can honor his memory."