By Hank Beckman
La Grange Park’s Village Board unanimously approved an interim finance director/treasurer to replace Austin Haacke, whose last day was June 9.
Haacke took a job with the Village of Minooka government in order to be closer to his birthplace in Dwight.
“We’re going to miss him,” Village President James Discipio said of Haacke. “We wish him the best in Minooka.”
Haacke had only taken on the position near the end of 2022, after several years serving other local governments.
The interim finance director will be a familiar face to Village observers. Daniel Wiersma served as interim finance director between the retirement of former Director Larry Noller and Haacke.
“I am in complete agreement with this,” Trustee Karen Koncel, administrative committee chairperson, said after giving an overview of the resolution. “Dan did a great job as our interim director.”
In addition to serving as a CEO in the private sector, Wiersma served as finance director for the Village of Glenview and the City of Wheaton. He also served as interim finance director for the City of Elmhurst and the Village of Schaumburg.
The search to find a new finance director will formally begin June 19 with the first candidate review and will cost La Grange Park little.
While GovTemps USA recommended Wiersma for the interim post, its parent company, GovHR USA, will fulfill the guarantee clause in the search for Haacke by covering the cost of one recruitment — except advertising costs — should the candidate leave the employ of La Grange Park within the first 12 months of service.
Wiersma will be paid $114.80 per hour and only be paid for the hours worked, which may vary, but are anticipated to be between 16 to 24 hours per week.
Haacke had been hired at an annual salary of $132,000 for Finance Director and $3,000 for Treasurer. While the Village’s official range for the position is anywhere from $105,000 to $157,000, the Village is adverting a new hire’s annual salary at $137,000 for finance director and $3,000 for treasurer.
The new finance director will also receive health and life insurance and participate in the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund.
The next La Grange Park Village Board meeting will be 7:30 p.m. June 27 at the La Grange Park Village Board Room, 447 N. Catherine Ave.
More Top Picks Best Electric Foot Files For Cracked Heels
Hank Beckman is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.