Committee Formed to Select New Plainfield Park Board Member: Bertino-Tarrant

Earlier this month, Gov. Pat Quinn signed a bill that will allow state legislators to appoint two new members to the Plainfield Park District Board of Commissioners.

Now, a selection committee of four Plainfield residents will begin the process of reviewing resumes to help select one of the new representatives.

The bill, aimed at diluting the influence of a board majority after a slew of controversial decisions and turmoil within the park district, allows State Rep. Tom Cross (R-Oswego) and State Sen. Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant (D-Shorewood) to each appoint one new member. After a two-year term, the spots will be up for election.

On Thursday, Bertino-Tarrant announced she has started the candidate selection process, beginning with appointing a selection committee of four Plainfield residents. The committee will be responsible for reviewing resumes and conducting interviews of applicants interested in serving on the Plainfield Park Board, Bertino-Tarrant said.

A representative for Bertino-Tarrant on Thursday said she did not have the names of the four committee members, but said that information will eventually be released.

The committee is comprised of “a municipal government official, a park advocacy official and two community residents,” Bertino-Tarrant said in a press release. The committee will narrow the field of applicants to two individuals, and Bertino-Tarrant will make the appointment based on those finalists.

“I feel that community members involved with the selection process isespecially critical due to the reasons we were called on to intervene in the first place,” Bertino-Tarrant said. “I want to ensure that we make the best decision possible for the Plainfield Park District and for our community.”

How to apply

Interested applicants must be eligible to serve on the park board by having resided within the Plainfield community for at least one year prior to the appointment. A person is not eligible to serve as park commissioner if that person is in arrears in the payment of a tax or other indebtedness due to the park district or has been convicted in any court located in the United States of a felony.

Individuals interested in applying for the Plainfield Park Board position must submit a resume, along with answers to the following questions:

1. Please explain the vision you would bring to the Plainfield Park District if you were selected to serve?
2. What skills and experiences do you have that would be an asset to the park district?
3. If you have ever been a member of a public body or organization that has experienced conflicts, please describe how you worked to resolve such conflicts.

Applications will be accepted through Friday, Sept. 5.

Those who are interested should send their resumes and answers to Bertino-Tarrant’s district office at 15300 Route 59, Unit 201, Plainfield, or via email to bertinotarrant49@att.net.

For more information, call 815-254-4211

Related:

• Quinn Signs Bill to Expand Plainfield Park Board
• Plainfield Park Board OKs New Director
• State Police Investigating Plainfield Park District
• Accusations of Patronage, Dummy Companies at Plainfield Park District

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Editor’s note: An email address initially provided by Sen. Bertino-Tarrant’s office was incorrect. The correct address is bertinotarrant49@att.net.