Residents are being sought to fill vacancies on two village of Lincolnwood commissions, officials recently announced in the village’s electronic newsletter, Lincolnwood Local.
Assistant Village Manager Madeline Farrell told Pioneer Press that Lincolnwood advertises openings whenever there is a vacancy and currently is focusing on filling an open seat on the Traffic Commission, as well as an expected vacancy on the Economic Development Commission.
“The vacancies come about because either somebody is moving out of Lincolnwood, their term is up, they’re resigning or retiring or just sort of moving on in their duties,” Farrell said.
According to the village’s website, the seven-member Traffic Commission currently consists of chair Lidia Zaia-Kaihara, Antonio Costantino, John Ernst, Tony Jin, Joseph Lou, Luke Vucic. One seat is open.
“They generally hear and review requests on matters involving traffic safety and control. That can also include parking, etc.,” Farrell said.
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Traffic Commission members serve three-year terms and meet on the fourth Thursday of each month except for November, the website states.
“Anybody is welcome to apply but the code does state that preference in membership shall be given to engineers, individuals with public works experience, individuals in the transportation field, business owners, professional educators, individuals associated with School District 74, real estate professionals and current or former public safety professionals,” Farrell explained.
The Traffic Commission was formed to hear and review matters involving parkway parking permits, resident-only parking, traffic calming devices such as speed humps, stop sign requests, access issues to village streets, alley vacations, bicycle safety, pedestrian safety, line-of-sight issues and other traffic safety/control issues as needed, the website states.
“The Traffic Commission makes recommendations to the Village Board on matters of traffic safety and parking (and has) direct impact on the way the community operates and works,” Farrell said.
People may contact police Chief Jay Parrott to discuss issues that they believe should be addressed by the Traffic Commission, according to the website.
According to the website, the nine-member Economic Development Commission currently consists of Chairman James Kucienski, Rivak Albazi, James Berger, Maureen Ehrenberg, Nayyer Habeebuddin, Tim Garcia, Leonard Weiss, Richard Sloan and Sun Loma Blumenthal.
“The purpose of the Economic Development Commission is to encourage and facilitate economic growth within the village,” Farrell said.
The Economic Development Commission members serve three-year terms and generally meet on the fourth Wednesday of each month, the website states.
“(The code) does state that residents or nonresidents who are CEOs, officers or managers of businesses or corporations would be a good fit,” Farrell said.
Others that Farrell said the municipal code lists as possible good fits include resident or nonresident local business owners or entrepreneurs, residents with expertise in business development and/or residents who have a known interest in economic development.
The Economic Development Commission was created in 1994 by village ordinance as an advisory body to the Village Board, the website states.
“They are making recommendations to the Village Board on matters related to economic development and economic growth as that relates to development and redevelopment opportunities and improving the village in those manners,” Farrell said.
People interested in the commission vacancies may fill out the application available on the village website and submit a resumé and cover letter to Mayor Jesal Patel’s office, according to instructions of the website.
Farrell said as of earlier this month, no applications had been received for the Traffic Commission or the Economic Development Commission, and applications will be reviewed as they are submitted.
“Participation on a village board or commission gets our community involved and engaged in matters that directly impact them. So, it’s a way to learn a little bit more about how the village operates and makes decisions, and participate in that decision-making process,” Farrell said.
Each member of the village’s boards and commissions is appointed by the village president with the consent of the Village Board.
According to the application, prospective applicants must have resided in the village for at least 12 months preceding the appointment to the board or commission and be a registered voter.
Because of specific expertise required for the Economic Development Commission, only seven of its nine members have to be appointed from among Lincolnwood residents, the application states.
Jessi Virtusio is a freelancer.