After 30 years of dedicated service to local government, Park Forest Village Manger Tom Mick announced his plans to retire next summer.
Mick emailed all Village staff to share that the time had come for him to focus on his family.
"I believe the time is right to refocus my priorities toward my family and other endeavors," Mick said in the email. "It has been my pleasure to work with each and every one of you. Over the years, I have been very lucky to get to know the vast majority of Village employees on a personal level."
Mick began his government career in 1995 as an administrative intern for the Village of River Forest. A year later, he became the assistant to the director of public works in north suburban Glencoe. In 1998, Mick joined the Village of Park Forest as the assistant to the Village Manager. He was promoted to Assistant Village Manager in 2001. He assumed the role of village manager in January 2005.
Since becoming Village Manager, Mick has collaborated closely with the board of trustees to ensure that Park Forest maintains a merit-based work culture and avoids the cronyism that has been a problem in Illinois politics for many years.
"The Village of Park Forest has a unique and diverse culture that is based on its professional council-manager form of government," Mick said. "Furthermore, the Village is a place where resident input, transparency, and civic engagement are very important."
Mick mentioned that a succession plan will be developed over the next 12 months to identify the best candidate to take over as the village manager. He reassured the community and village staff that the aim would be to find someone who understands the organization's operations and will uphold its values.
Mayor Joseph A. Woods said Mick's retirement is bittersweet, as he will be missed. However, Woods said he's excited for what lies ahead for Mick.
"Park Forest has been well served by Manager Mick for more than two decades,” said Woods. “Selfishly, I would love for him to continue because of the wealth of experience that he brings to the position."
Woods continued, "However, from several conversations I have had with him, I recognize that Tom has made this decision of his own volition based on his conclusion that the time is right for him to enjoy the benefits of retirement with his family.”
The mayor expressed gratitude for working alongside Mick, who Woods said is one of the most respected people in his field.
“I often receive comments from various elected officials, municipal-state-federal levels, about how well Tom understands local government and about how effective he has been not only in service to Park Forest but also to our entire south suburban region," Woods said.
Woods added over the last year, he’s learned a lot from Mick.
“What comes with a wanting to do the best I can as mayor/village president of Park Forest, is a fervent desire to glean as much information from one among those who knows his or her profession without question,” Woods said. “Thus, having him by my side as we lobbied for millions of funding dollars in Springfield and Washington D.C., Tom Mick has proven to be that one.”
Woods continued, “So, as we celebrate our 75th Anniversary as a Village, we too celebrate the service of a man dedicated to his community for just over a quarter of a century.”
Woods reiterated that he wants residents to know that Mick isn't going anywhere anytime soon, as his retirement date is June 20, 2025.