Tinley Park Mayor Ed Zabrocki Resigns

Tinley Park Mayor Ed Zabrocki will step down from his office effective June 1.

Zabrocki announced his resignation Wednesday morning, citing health reasons.

Zabrocki, 73, who has been mayor since 1981, told the crowd at the State of the Village breakfast that, “This was not an easy decision.

“The next few years will be exciting for this community. I will hate not being a part of it.”

An abdominal cancer he had previously fought has returned after 10 years of remission. He will undergo treatment beginning later this month, over the course of 10 weeks.

Zabrocki has selected Trustee Dave Seaman, the mayor pro-tem, to serve as his replacement. Seaman is the village’s longest-serving trustee, having notched more than 30 years in the role. Among his accomplishments, he notes the construction of the 80th Avenue Train Station and Tinley Park Convention Center.

“It is my hope, desire and very strong recommendation that he be named Mayor of the Village of Tinley Park by the entire Tinley Park Village Board to fill out the reminder of my term,” Zabrocki said. “In my estimation, Dave has the ability, dedication and personality to fill that position.”

Before becoming mayor in 1981, Zabrocki served for 10 year on Village commissions and then the Village Board. He also was elected and served as 37th District State Representative to the 89th Illinois General Assembly.

“(That’s) a total of 36 years as an elected official in Tinley Park, and I consider that to be an extraordinary privilege that is afforded to only a very few,” Zabrocki said.

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