Lake Bluff Village President Regis Charlot plans to appoint a former trustee to fill a village board vacancy created by the resignation of Trustee Stephen Rappin. The appointment will run through the end of the current term in 2027.
“We need an experienced community leader who will fill the position for the next 21 months,” Charlot said in an interview.
Charlot confirmed that interviews have been completed and a candidate has been chosen. He said he was not ready to announce the selection yet, but it would be revealed at the Oct. 13 village board meeting, as Charlot said he would be absent from the Sept. 22 session.
At a Sept. 8 meeting, Charlot signaled his preference for someone with prior board experience, noting the importance of financial expertise and an engineering background. With several major infrastructure projects underway or planned — including road resurfacing of Sheridan Road, the installation of a new stormwater tunnel, and reconstruction of both Green Bay Road and the Green Bay Road Bridge — he indicated that the village board needs someone with experience.
Finance Committee Chairwoman Susan Rider agreed with that sentiment.
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“You are right to be looking for someone who can jump right in,” she said to Charlot. “That makes a lot of sense.”
The vacancy stems from Rappin’s resignation, submitted in August and announced Sept. 8. In his letter, Rappin cited his professional and travel commitments as reasons for stepping down.
“Unfortunately, based on my work and personal travel schedule, I am not able to commit the focus and time the village deserves as a trustee,” he wrote.
Rappin is the CEO of a Chicago-area real estate firm that manages more than 15,000 apartments in 14 states, according to his LinkedIn profile. He did not return requests for comment.
Charlot originally appointed Rappin to the board in 2021 to fill the seat Charlot vacated after being elected village president. Before that, Rappin served on the Architectural Board of Review, including its Downtown Development Committee. He was elected to a four-year term on the board in 2023.
“I have truly enjoyed representing the fine people of Lake Bluff in various positions over the span of the past decade,” Rappin wrote in his resignation letter. “I have tried my best to support policies that have led to a safe, vibrant and economically healthy village and to foster policies that brought our community together.”
Charlot described Rappin as a friend.
“I will miss Steve’s participation in village board and finance committee matters,” he said.
Rappin added that he would be open to serving the village in other capacities in the future.
Daniel I. Dorfman is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.