Winnetka Park Board Calls For Commissioner's Resignation

WINNETKA, IL — The Winnetka Park District Board of Commissioners called for the resignation of Commissioner Colleen Root at its most recent meeting in response to a private email exchange between Root and a resident.

The email, which was sent from Root's personal account, was about official Park District business relating to the recent mission and vision statement update and the comprehensive master plan. In the message, Root used the phrase "compromised board" to describe the board, which other commissioners interpreted as implying corruption or unethical conduct.

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"The majority of this compromised Board is trying to walk back the Plan they unanimously approved last October. Please let your contacts know what is going on," Root said in her email to the resident.

According to Park Board President Elise Gibson, another resident forwarded the email exchange to a member of the Board. Due to the email exchange, Board members accused Root of undermining the agency, spreading misinformation, and failing to support majority decisions.

Root addressed her actions in a statement at the meeting, expressing concern that she was facing discipline without notice and that her private conversations, which she didn't provide to the Board herself, were posted publicly on the meeting agenda.

"In my mind, this is protected political speech on a matter that was before this board," Root said. "I did use the phrase 'compromised board.' By that, I meant a decision-making process compromised by inadequate disclosure and unresolved governance concerns. In no way did I mean any sort of allegation of bribery, corruption, or personal enrichment by members of this board."

In response, other Commissioners expressed frustration and disappointment with Root's actions, accusing her of being a source of misinformation and conspiracy theories that circulated in the past. Gibson said Root's actions contribute to board culture issues.

"I have no doubt that you've libeled this board and the park district many times, and I'm sure you've also defamed us," Gibson said. "After supporting errors in [the resident's] letter rather than correcting them, you go on and attempt to foment unrest by saying, 'please let your contacts know what's going on.' Again, a whisper campaign actively trying to undermine the board and the park district and create the notion that there is a conspiracy underway."

The Board of Commissioners unanimously voted to discipline Root, requiring her to issue a formal letter of apology and a corrective letter to the resident she spoke with to explain and correct the misrepresentations in his communications. Gibson also called for Root's resignation.

This is not the first time Root has been in hot water with the board since she was first elected to her position in 2021. The first action happened in 2024, when then-President Christina Codo led a censure motion that limited Root's interactions with staff and placed her park district email under monitoring through April 2025.

Former President Warren James had previously called for Root's resignation multiple times between 2021 and 2023, making Gibson the second board president to formally demand that she step down.

"I call on you to show some humility and accountability, and to resign. You're unfit to serve. Your desire to hurt this agency and the board prevents you from properly serving this district's residents," Gibson said.

Root cannot be removed from her position by the board, so unless she chooses to resign, she will remain on the Park Board of Commissioners.