'Dry Up' Leader Joins La Grange Board

LA GRANGE, IL – Glenn Thompson swapped out his "Dry Up La Grange" lime green T-shirt for a business suit Monday.

Thompson, a La Grange resident, became the newest trustee on the Village Board.

Thompson, a Mississippi native, has spoken at board meetings over the last couple of years as a co-founder of Dry Up La Grange.

The group, which urges the village to act on stormwater problems, was formed in the wake of major flooding in June 2021.

Thompson ran unopposed in the April election.

Leaving the board was Michael Kotynek, who decided against running for a third term.

Attending the meeting to praise Kotynek's service were former Village President Tom Livingston and former trustees David McCarty and Bill Holder.

The current president, Mark Kuchler, said Kotynek has provided him with solid advice.

"He was the trustee that I most relied upon when things were most difficult," Kuchler said. "There are a lot of decisions that aren't just black or white. Mike could see through and help me see through and reach a resolution."

Kotynek was also credited with his leadership of the village's 2020 Task Force before he became a trustee in 2015.

"It was a lot of people (on the task force). I never thought it would work with so many people," Kuchler said. "It got off to a slow start. But as they say, the cream rises to the top. And Mike Kotynek quickly realized someone needed to be the leader of the 2020 commission."

Kotynek said he was glad the Village Board has long avoided the "party strife" that distracts so many public bodies.

"I know the village is in good hands with your oversight and direction," Kotynek said. "Keep on the path that we have built together. Continue to be fair and govern with reasonableness. Keep La Grange fiscally strong and put the next set of trustees in a good position. Leave them with a strong balance sheet."