Elmhurst May Pick Acting City Manager To Start In Early August

The longtime manager is set to retire. He has been at the helm for 15 years.

By David Giuliani, Patch Staff

Jul 17, 2026 7:19 am CDT | Updated Jul 17, 2026 7:23 am CDT

Elmhurst's city engineer, Kent Johnson (left), speaks in 2022 at an Elmhurst City Council committee meeting. Next to him is Stanley Balicki, the city's public works director. (David Giuliani/Patch)

ELMHURST, IL – Elmhurst's assistant manager is being recommended to serve in the top job on an acting basis.

In a memo for Monday's City Council meeting, Mayor Scott Levin said he was seeking the appointment of Kent Johnson as acting city manager. Johnson's first day would be Aug. 3.

Johnson has been the assistant manager since early 2024. Before that, he was the city engineer.

In late February, City Manager Jim Grabowski, who has been at the helm for 15 years, announced his retirement for the summer. He did not give an exact date.

A week ago, Patch left an email message with Mayor Scott Levin about the status of the manager search. He did not respond.

Before Monday's meeting, the council plans to meet behind closed doors for up to 1½ hours to talk about personnel issues.

Under the state's open meetings law, aldermen can discuss specific manager candidates and conduct job interviews in closed sessions. However, the council's discussions about the hiring process must be in public.

In the February news release announcing Grabowski's departure, Levin praised his performance, calling him an "exceptional city manager" and a "trusted leader" for Elmhurst.

The release listed what the city said were its accomplishments during Grabowski's tenure. Among them were the revitalization of Elmhurst's downtown and business districts and the investment of $45 million in stormwater and sanitary sewer system improvements.

Early next year, the city plans to start building a new police station, costing nearly $50 million.

Last fall, aldermen were told about the city's tough budget situation, with income rising but spending going up even more.

In response, the council voted to cut $3.6 million from the budget and increase property taxes by $1 million. Officials have said that the gap is expected to grow if more cuts aren't made.

Elmhurst City Manager Jim Grabowski takes part in a City Council committee meeting in 2023. He is retiring soon. (David Giuliani/Patch)