For more information:
Alexandra A. (Sandi) Radtke
Director of Governmental Affairs
312/454-0400 radtke@nipc.org

SUBURBAN MUNICIPAL LEADERS
ELECT EIGHT NIPC COMMISSIONERS

(CHICAGO, June 2, 2003) -- Eight suburban municipal officials were elected Saturday, May 31, 2003, by the Assembly of Mayors and Village Presidents to serve on the Northeastern Illinois Planning Commission (NIPC).  The assembly met at the Oak Meadows Golf Club in Addison. 

They are: Thomas Adams, President, Village of Green Oaks; Alan Bennett, Trustee, Village of Elmwood Park; Kevin Brusek, President, Village of Richmond; Al Larson, President, Village of Schaumburg;  Mark Ruby, Mayor, Village of North Aurora;  Rae Rupp Srch, President, Village of Villa Park;  Michael K. Smith, President, Village of New Lenox; and Edward J. Zabrocki, President, Village of Tinley Park. 

The new commissioners were elected to represent suburban Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry and Will counties.  They will serve NIPC until the spring of 2007. 

Thomas Adams is serving his third term as village president.  He is a past president of the Lake County Municipal League.

Alan L. Bennett, re-elected to a third term as a NIPC commissioner, has served as a trustee of the Village of Elmwood Park since 1975.  He chairs the Commission's Planning Committee. 

Kevin Brusek is serving a second term as village president of Richmond. 

Al Larson, re-elected to a third term as a NIPC commissioner, is serving a fourth term as president of the Village of Schaumburg.  He is a past president of the Northwest Municipal Conference and serves on the board of Pace. 

Mark Ruby, re-elected to a second term as a NIPC Commissioner, is serving a second term as mayor of North Aurora.  He is president of the DuKane Valley Council. 

Rae Rupp Srch, also re-elected to a third term as a NIPC Commissioner, is serving a third term as president of the Village of Villa Park.  She is a past president of the DuPage Mayors and Managers Conference. 

Michael Smith, re-elected to his second term as a NIPC commissioner, is serving his second term as mayor of New Lenox.  He is the current president of the Commission. Mayor Smith is also president of the Will County Governmental League and a member of the board of Metra. 

Ed Zabrocki is serving his fifth term as village president of Tinley Park.  He is a past president of the South Suburban Mayors and Managers Association and a former state representative. 

Commissioner Smith said Saturday, “The Assembly of Mayors is an important demonstration of the interest from local government in the future of our region. The greatest hope for our region is this type of cooperation demonstrated in the dedication I see from local elected officials giving of their time and energy to ensure the economic, community and environmental health of this important metropolitan region.”  

The Commission is composed of 34 commissioners.  In addition to the eight elected by the assembly, commissioners are appointed by the governor of Illinois, each of the six county board chairmen, the mayor of Chicago, the Regional Transportation Authority, the Chicago Transit Authority, Metra, Pace, the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago, the Chicago Park District, the Illinois Association of Park Districts, and the Illinois Association of Wastewater Agencies.

ABOUT NIPC: The Northeastern Illinois Planning Commission is the official comprehensive planning agency for the six-county Chicago metropolitan area. The Commission was created by the Illinois General Assembly in 1957 and assigned three broad responsibilities:

• To conduct research required for planning for the region;
• To prepare comprehensive plans and policies to guide the development of the region;
• To advise and assist local governments.  
• NIPC's Web site is www.nipc.org.

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