Western Springs Expects To Pick New Manager

WESTERN SPRINGS, IL — The Western Springs Village Board is expected to name a new village manager Monday, a week and a half after the retirement of Ingrid Velkme.

Village President Alice Gallagher announced Friday morning in a news release that the board was poised to hire Ellen Baer, director of administrative services, as the new manager. Baer has held her position for four years.

Baer's salary is set to be $165,000.

"From the onset, Ellen has demonstrated initiative, leadership and readiness to manage operations, planning and the fiscal budget," Gallagher said in a statement.

The Village Board is set to vote on Baer's appointment at its meeting Monday.

Before Western Springs, Baer was assistant village manager in Lombard from 2000 to 2003 and in Orland Park from 2003 to 2016. She was the interim village manager in Orland Park for nine months in 2007 and 2008.

Baer has worked in municipal government for 29 years and holds a master's degree in public administration from Northern Illinois University.

Velke was also the director of administrative services before becoming village manager in 2017.

Like the last time, the village only looked internally for a new manager. At last week's Village Board meeting, Gallagher said the board had two in-house candidates. She said the board directed her to enter negotiations with one of them. She did not name the candidates.

In both instances, Gallagher said trustees decided to avoid a wider search because they had no justification for spending such resources when they had good in-house candidates.

In Friday's news release, the village said the board has identified succession planning and retention of "exceptional" employees as a strategic goal.

"This strategy is critical to ensuring the seamless transition of key personnel so that the village can provide uninterrupted exceptional services to its residents," the release said.

Velkme retired after 33 years in government, most of which was with Western Springs. She said it was time for her to begin a new chapter in her life.

Deputy Village Manager Casey Biernacki has served as interim manager since Velkme retired. Gallagher thanked Biernacki for his service.