Elmhurst Official Retiring After 40 Years

ELMHURST, IL – Mike Kopp, Elmhurst's assistant city manager, said Monday he remembered going to the old City Hall and swearing in as a firefighter.

That was 40 years ago. And it was when he had hair, he said.

"I blinked, and 40 years later, I'm standing here," he told the City Council.

Kopp was speaking during the council's recognition of his service to the city. He is set to retire Jan. 2, which the mayor proclaimed "Mike Kopp Day."

Mayor Scott Levin read a proclamation honoring Kopp and recounting his history.

When Kopp was 8, his 10-member family moved to Elmhurst, living in a four-bedroom, one-bathroom house. He attended Lincoln, Bryan Middle and York High schools.

After graduation, he served in the U.S. Navy for four years, then joined the local fire department, becoming its chief in 2002. A decade later, he became the assistant city manager.

"I have never heard Mike Kopp say a bad word about anyone. I never heard him complain about taking on a task," Levin said. "You have the highest level of professionalism."

Reading the proclamation, the mayor said Kopp's experience with the city has prepared him to "flourish in future endeavors, specifically those as a social media influencer and farmer, as he plans his next phase of enjoying the outdoors as he raises chickens and cattle, spending time with his family and friends, and watching his family grow."

Kopp said he looked forward to coming to work every day. And he praised the city for keeping the "foot on the gas" for development.

"As soon as you let up, someone's passing you by," Kopp said. "I had a small part of it. It takes a lot of people for development, including a City Council that's willing to support mindful development. And it has been that way for years around here."