Sam Santell
May 8, 1954 -- April 19, 2006

Our region lost a great planner when Sam Santell died suddenly on April 19, 2006, at age 51. As director of planning for the Northeastern Illinois Planning Commission (NIPC), Sam was instrumental in completing the 2040 Regional Framework Plan that was honored in San Antonio, Texas, on April 25 as the American Planning Association's national plan of the year. A passionate advocate for sensible growth, he used his planning experience at the municipal and county levels to address residents' real needs in land use, transportation, economic development, education, and natural resources.

Prior to joining NIPC in November 2004, Sam directed the planning and projects division of the Kane County Development Department, where he became a strong proponent of coordination among local and regional planners. He shaped Kane County's award-winning plans that provided a framework for collaboration across traditional geographic and governmental boundaries. Earlier, he was a planner for the City of St. Charles and had worked for the Eastern Kentucky FIVCO organization and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.

Sam was also on the board of directors for SomerCor 504, Inc., a non-profit development company certified by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to originate SBA 504 loans in support of Illinois companies.  He held a Master's degree in City and Regional Planning from the Ohio State University. 

Sam is survived by his wife Beth, daughter Megan and son Stephen. A memorial service for NIPC planning director Sam Santell was held at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in St. Charles on Saturday, May 20, 2006. NIPC vice president for water resources Wally Van Buren was among those who delivered eulogies. 

A memorial fund has been established in Sam's name to benefit open land preservation. Please make checks payable to the Sam Santell Memorial and mail to Sam Santell Memorial, P.O. Box 66, Elburn, IL 60119.

Added May 22, 2006:  NIPC vice president for water resources Wally Van Buren was among those who delivered eulogies at the memorial for Sam on May 20.  Click here for Commissioner Van Buren's remarks. 

Added May 11, 2006:  The American Planning Association web's In Memoriam page has an entry about Sam.

Added April 28, 2006:  The Metropolitan Planning Council web has a remembrance of Sam, written by MPC vice president Scott Goldstein.

Added April 25, 2006:  The Chicago Tribune and the Daily Herald ran extended obituaries about Sam.