Recently reelected New Lenox Trustee Jasen Howard this week announced his family was relocating and he would be stepping down from his seat at the end of the month.
Howard’s wife, Ingrid, was recently offered a promotion and the family will be relocating to the Denver area. Howard, who was elected to the Village Board in 2017 and won a second term in April, announced his resignation this week on social media.
“It has been an honor serving the people of New Lenox as trustee along with myriad time on the Planning and Zoning commission,” wrote Howard, who served on that commission for about a year before being elected to the Village Board.
Howard’s social media post has drawn many comments of appreciation and well wishes from New Lenox residents.
“It’s bittersweet,” Howard said when reached at his home Tuesday. “I love the community and the outpouring of appreciation on Facebook with my announcement has been absolutely amazing.
“It’s sad to leave town and the position (of trustee). But on the other hand, it’s exciting to start a new adventure with my family.”
Howard said his wife, who works as a human relations manager for Target, learned about the advancement opportunity about three weeks ago and recently was offered the position. The couple and their 5-year-old daughter will move to Denver sometime in late July or early August, Howard said.
“I’m disappointed to lose him on the Village Board, but certainly happy for him and his family and that’s far more important,” New Lenox Mayor Tim Baldermann said.
Howard said he had been in contact with Baldermann in recent weeks about the possibility of him stepping down. Baldermann said Tuesday he hopes to name a replacement sometime in July.
Howard, who is a Lincoln-Way Central High School graduate and has lived in the area for nearly 40 years, said he has enjoyed his time on the village board. He credited the board for its transparency and willingness to listen to residents.
“They have listened to residents and took residents concerns and thoughts into the decisions that we’ve made over the years,” he said.
Howard said he and his wife will miss the connections and friends they’ve made and the community activities at the Village Commons that his family regularly attended.
Alicia Fabbre is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.