Clarendon Hills Manager Retiring

CLARENDON HILLS, IL – Kevin Barr, Clarendon Hills' village manager for the last eight years, is retiring.

On Monday, Patch obtained Barr's letter of resignation dated last Tuesday to the Village Board.

Barr said his last day would be June 30.

Village President Len Austin decided against running for another term in the April 4 election. The only candidate for president is Eric Tech.

In his letter, Barr said the current board and clerk are the best he has worked with in his 36 years as a municipal administrator.

"Village President Austin deserves particular credit for his selfless, steady and reasoned leadership during his 8 years as village president," Barr said. "He is the best I have worked for."

Barr said he has discussed his role with Tech and pledged him his support and help through June.

"In any case, I can say with some pride that the Village is in a good place and the future continues to look bright," Barr said.

Barr could not be reached for immediate comment.

Last month, the board voted for a 3 percent pay increase for Barr, increasing his pay to $180,137, up from $174,890. On top of that, it gave him a $3,500 bonus.

The village has not revealed its plans for Barr's successor. The assistant village manager is Zach Creer, who has been with the village for the last three years.

In an interview, longtime village Trustee Greg Jordan said Barr has done a "terrific job." Jordan credited the manager with playing a big role in making the new train station a reality and improving downtown.

"I have lived in the village since 1992. Really not much was going on downtown," Jordan said. "Now, it's far more vibrant. It's really impressive what he has accomplished."

Jordan also said the manager was able to get a new ladder truck for the fire department.

In early 2022, Barr was placed on leave for two weeks because of a job issue. Public documents later showed that officials misled residents about what happened.