Elmhurst Picks New Manager From More Than 90 Candidates

She has held municipal jobs around the suburbs. Before that, she worked in newspapers.

By David Giuliani, Patch Staff

Oct 1, 2026 4:33 PM CDT | Updated Oct 1, 2026 4:35 PM CDT

Christina Burns, Kendall County's administrator, has been tapped to become Elmhurst's next city manager. (Courtesy of City of Elmhurst)

ELMHURST, IL – Elmhurst aldermen have picked Kendall County's administrator as the new city manager, replacing Jim Grabowski, who left in late July after 15 years, the city announced Thursday.

Christina Burns, who became administrator three years ago, must still undergo a formal City Council vote on Monday. She is expected to start Nov. 30.

The council has held a series of closed meetings on the manager's post.

In Kendall County, Burns' salary is $185,000. Patch asked the city for Burns' pay.

Kendall County is a mix of suburban and rural areas about 40 miles southwest of Chicago, with a population of about 145,000.

In the decade before her current job, Burns was assistant to the village administrator and deputy village administrator in Oswego, Kendall County's largest town.

Before that, she held positions in the villages of Glen Ellyn and Clarendon Hills.

She holds a master's degree in public administration from Northern Illinois University in DeKalb and a bachelor's degree in journalism from Truman State University in Kirksville, Missouri. She worked for a few years in newspapers.

In Kendall County, Burns has been credited with securing a $15 million state grant for high-speed broadband service, leading more than $50 million in capital planning initiatives and advancing regional collaboration, according to an Elmhurst news release.

In the release, Mayor Scott Levin said eight of the candidates were interviewed.

"We have tremendous confidence in the leadership team already serving Elmhurst, and we believe Christina's experience and outside perspective will complement that strength," Levin said.

Since Grabowski retired, Assistant City Manager Kent Johnson has been the acting manager. He is expected to return to that role.

At Monday council meeting, aldermen are set to vote on a resolution approving Burns' employment. On Oct. 19, the council plans to vote on her employment agreement.

In Illinois, towns can keep the names of manager finalists under wraps. Most towns, including Elmhurst, stick to the tradition of secrecy.

Some states, including Wisconsin and New Mexico, require towns to reveal the names of city manager finalists. In some cases, towns let the public meet them.