A Wilmette Park District commissioner will proceed to serve on the board after an unbiased investigation confirmed his residency in Wilmette. On the similar time, a emptiness was created when former Board President Kara Kosloskus submitted her resignation, and the Wilmette Park District is accepting purposes from residents excited about serving the remainder of her time period on the Board.
Kosloskus plans to maneuver out of the district, in line with a information launch. Wilmette Park commissioners are elected, as are Board members in most models of native authorities, and, in line with state legislation, should reside within the district they serve.
The district employed an outdoor Chicago legislation agency to look into whether or not Commissioner Michael Murdock lives within the district after group members raised questions on his residency, per district paperwork.
Government Director Chris Lindgren learn a press release on the matter on the Aug. 11 Board of Commissioners Assembly.
“After listening to questions raised in the neighborhood about Murdock’s residency, the district employed the legislation agency Ancel Glink to conduct an unbiased investigation. Ancel Glink reported that primarily based on the totality of its investigation, it discovered Murdock’s solutions to be credible. It additionally collected info from public data and different sources. General, Ancel Glink concluded {that a} court docket would extra seemingly discover Murdock retains his residency in Wilmette and stays certified to function a Park Commissioner. Ancel Glink doesn’t advocate additional pursuing the matter at the moment primarily based on the data it was capable of overview.”
“We’re excited to place this behind us and shut out the investigation,” Lindgren added.
JP NcNamara, the district’s advertising and marketing and communications supervisor, informed Pioneer Press that the district employed the legislation agency after listening to questions raised in the neighborhood about Murdock’s residency.
“The aim was to offer readability for the Board, the group, and the Commissioner [Murdock] himself — and we imagine this was achieved,” he stated.
When requested what the legislation agency did to research, McNamara stated, “I can share that Ancel Glink reviewed relevant legislation and coverage, examined public data and gathered info instantly from the Commissioner as a part of its investigation. Past that, we aren’t capable of focus on [attorney-client] privileged issues.”
Thus far, the district spent $1,350 to rent the legislation agency, McNamara stated. A closing value continues to be pending, he stated, however not anticipated to be a lot greater.
Additionally on the Aug. 11 assembly, the Board learn a decision in honor of Kosloskus’ years of service. She was elected to the board in 2021, re-elected in 2025, and leaves the Board on “distinctive Board member” standing, Lindgren stated.
“It’s positively with blended feelings that at present I submitted a letter of resignation to the Park Board, efficient tomorrow,” Kosloskus stated on the assembly. “My household is transferring out of the village, and this got here as a fast resolution, however issues lined up; it is a nice alternative for our household.”
“The toughest half about this resolution has been getting ready for tonight and saying goodbye to this place. As a lot as I wish to stay at this desk, it’s the fitting factor to do to go this seat on to somebody who will totally reside right here and take part within the day after day of Wilmette life,” she stated.
Throughout her tenure on the Board, she served one two-year time period as president and one two-year time period as vp.
“All through her tenure, Kara guided Wilmette Park District throughout government transitions and the completion of main capital tasks. She led the Park District via pivotal adjustments, together with implementing managed entry at South Seashore, pursuing sustainability targets underneath the Information to Inexperienced Plan and strategically buying the Beth Hillel property,” a park district information launch stated.
“Wilmette Park District is deeply grateful for Kara’s service, imaginative and prescient, and dedication to the group. Her departure marks a big transition for the Board and the broader Park District,” the district stated.
Wilmette residents who’ve lived within the district for not less than one 12 months are eligible to use for the emptiness attributable to Kosloskus’ departure. Extra necessities embody being a registered voter, together with being “dedicated to upholding the values and tasks of public service,” per the district’s necessities.
Candidates should submit a written assertion answering the 2025 Board of Park Commissioners Emptiness Questionnaire (discovered on-line at wilmettepark.org) to be thought-about for appointment. Candidates can flip of their assertion by mail or in particular person to the Wilmette Park District Administration Middle at 1200 Wilmette Avenue or by electronic mail at mparson@wilpark.org or on-line on the district’s web site.
All submissions should be acquired no later than 4:30 p.m. on Sept. 2. The district’s administrative workplaces will likely be closed Sept. 1 in observance of Labor Day.
