'Kept Your Cool': Elmhurst Official Praised For 15 Years At Helm

ELMHURST, IL – Outgoing Elmhurst City Manager Jim Grabowski's family showed up at Monday's City Council meeting to watch him be honored for his 15 years of service.

Then they waited and waited.

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Just their luck that the session was the longest regular council meeting in a couple of years. That was largely because of a contentious zoning issue.

In 1953, Elmhurst formed a city-manager government. The idea was to remove elected officials from the day-to-day operation of city government – and thus, the politics and partisanship.

Grabowski was hired in July 2011, having previously served as village manager in suburban Minooka, about a quarter of Elmhurst's size.

Grabowski succeeded Thomas Borchet, who served as city manager for 27 years. Borchet's predecessor served for more than three decades.

"You're kind of a short-timer," Mayor Scott Levin joked to Grabowski at Monday's meeting.

More than two hours into the meeting, the council was finally able to recognize Grabowski's service.

The mayor and aldermen praised Grabowski and recalled their experiences with him.

Alderman Michael Bram, who at times dissents from the council majority, noted that he has differed from Grabowski on some issues.

"But as others have already said, I think you've always kept your cool," said Bram, who has served on the council for all but two years of the last quarter century. "You've always responded, always given good answers."

"Again, we have not always agreed on the topic, but I always respected your perspective on every single thing we've ever discussed or debated. Communication has always been there," Bram said.

Alderwoman Emily Bastedo said that in many ways, she was Grabowski's opposite.

"I am much too direct. You are very good at hiding your opinions sometimes," Bastedo said. "You are very faithful to your job to run the city. You're not political. You don't run campaigns. You run the city. And I really admire that about you. You are very diplomatic."

In his speech, Grabowski fought back tears in thanking his family.

"I'm only here because you're always there," he said.

He also thanked city employees for their work. Together, he said, they have addressed longstanding flooding, spurred downtown development and helped increase residents' property values, among other things.

"Serving the residents of Elmhurst has been a privilege and the absolute highlight of my career," said Grabowski, who has attended an estimated 360 council meetings.

Grabowski's last day is July 31. Assistant City Manager Kent Johnson will then take the reins as the interim manager.

The city is searching for Grabowski's replacement.