Glen Ellyn public works director retires

Glen Ellyn's public works director retired Thursday after a career spanning nearly four decades in municipal government.

Julius Hansen led the village's public works department for the last 10 years. Prior to that, Hansen, an Army veteran who served in the Engineer Battalion of the 82nd Airborne Division, was the public works director in La Grange Park.

In Glen Ellyn, Hansen helped manage key infrastructure projects. During his tenure, the village built a Taylor Avenue tunnel directly east of the existing underpass to allow pedestrians and bicyclists to safely bypass the railroad tracks.

It was among the village projects that received recognition from the American Public Works Association.

Hansen also oversaw the restoration of a village icon - the Glen Ellyn horse trough - and its move to a new place of honor downtown in August 2020.

Assistant Public Works Director Dave Buckley will serve as the interim leader of the department.