New Trustee Selected For Vacant Village Board Seat

BUFFALO GROVE, IL -- The Buffalo Grove Village Board is moving forward with filling a vacant seat. Eric Smith, a 29-year Buffalo Grove resident, will be appointed as the new village board trustee during a Sept. 18 meeting. Smith has experience in local government, business leadership and philanthropy and will fill a spot left open by former village trustee Steven Trilling, according to village officials.

Smith served as an interim village board trustee from 2010 to 2011 and currently serves as the chairman of Buffalo Grove’s Planning and Zoning Commission, according to a news release. He is a member of the Lake Cook Corridor Planning Group and was a member of the committee that chose the Lake Cook Corridor project consultant.

Smith was a Buffalo Grove business owner for 29 years and previously served as president, vice president, treasurer and secretary of the Buffalo Grove Lincolnshire Chamber of Commerce as well as the president of the Rotary Club of Buffalo Grove. He has been a member of both organizations since 1988.

In total, 12 candidates vied for the open seat. Village President Beverly Sussman said in reviewing the applications she focused on choosing the individual who had comprehensive experience working in community affairs, business administration, organized leadership and community development, according to the news release.

Sussman additionally cited a background in community development and prior Village Board experience as important attributes of the right candidate.

“Eric has a long history of service to the Buffalo Grove community and has a deep understanding of the issues facing Buffalo Grove. I look forward to working with him,” Sussman said. “I am excited about this opportunity and look forward to serving the community in the role of trustee.”

The village will hold a reception welcoming Smith to the village board at 7 p.m. on Sept. 18. All community members are welcome to attend.

Smith will serve on the vacated trustee seat through April 30, 2019.

Also on Sept. 18, Sussman will appoint Planning & Zoning Commission member Frank Cesario to replace Smith as chairman of the commission.