Sokol Delisi is the new Lincolnwood village clerk, running unopposed in the April 1 election to fill the seat Beryl Herman held for 20 years before she died in office earlier this year.
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Delisi, who is a village Parks and Recreation Board member, has a history of being involved in Lincolnwood. He said he moved to the village with his family over 20 years ago – attracted to the schools, the diversity and its location.
“I am proud to be a product of the Lincolnwood school system, attending Niles West High School before graduating from DePaul University,” Delisi told Pioneer Press in an email.
Late Village Clerk Beryl Herman, first elected to the office in 2005, was previously a teacher in Lincolnwood School District 74. Village officials announced in February her “peaceful passing” at age 87.
“Beryl’s contributions over the years have left an indelible mark on our Village, and her commitment to excellence in public service has set a standard for all of us. We will carry Beryl’s legacy forward as we continue to build a stronger, more vibrant community in her honor,” mayor Jesal Patel stated in a village news release announcing Herman’s death.
Like his predecessor, Delisi has served in a variety of public positions. In addition to his current role on the Parks and Recreation Board, he has been a District 74 school board policy committee member and on a district planning committee.
Delisi said his interest in civic improvement goes back decades. He began his work for “park improvement” as a kid.
“I vividly recall when my interest in town ‘politics’ started,” he wrote in the email. “It was a hot June day when I was 7 years old, and I went to play basketball at Richard Rossi Park. The water fountain had been out of order for a couple of days and I was getting increasingly frustrated. I decided to go home that day, pick up the phone, and called the parks department to get the fountain to work. The next day when I went, the water fountain was working, and it had very cold water.”
That power — the ability of a citizen — to improve a small public thing, impressed him.
“A simple voicemail had led to an immediate change. It was a small action, but it sparked a moment of continuing to bring changes for the betterment of the community,” he stated. “I realized how one voice, one small action, could make a difference. I never could have imagined then that I would one day be on the Parks Board, helping to make decisions for Lincolnwood’s parks.”
The village clerk, an elected office, has duties that include running elections, voter registration and maintaining public records. The clerk attends village meetings where they keep official records. It’s a vital position, Delisi said, adding that he noticed in his time on the Parks and Recreation Board how a lack of good records can impede decisions.
“During meetings, I noticed that sometimes we did not have historical records to explain certain policies, which created difficulty in making informed decisions,” he explained in the email.
Delisi said he wants to be citizens-minded.
“Lincolnwood residents deserve timely services, and we hope to continue streamlining services for ease of access,” he stated.
Jesse Wright is a freelancer.