Thillens Elected President of Park Board

Mel Thillens Elected President of the Park Ridge Park District

Elected in 2011, Mel Thillens has served on the Park Board of Commissioners for the Park Ridge Park and Recreation District in several capacities. In 2012, he was the Secretary and became Vice-President last year. On May 1 he was unanimously elected as the 2014 President for a one-year term. 

Thillens has also been the liaison to the Park Ridge Indian Scouts and Indian Princesses.

"I am very proud that the Park District has shown a budget surplus each year I've been on the Board, and that I helped lead the successful effort to have no increase in the regular Park District tax levy for this year," Thillens said. "As Board President, I plan to continue policies that will be fiscally conservative and prudent."

As one of his first actions, Thillens led the effort to release the minutes of over 100 closed Board sessions dating from 1996 through 2014. The action was passed unanimously.

"I believe in government transparency," he said. "So this release of documents was a great way to kick off my term as Board President."

Other officers elected that night were Jim O'Brien as Vice-President, Jim Phillips as Treasurer and Mary Wynn Ryan as Secretary.

Thillens will have a busy year as he continues to lead the committee responsible for the very popular Taste of Park Ridge. He is also running a campaign to become the next State Representative of the 55th District.

He added, "when I see something my community needs, I raise my hand and volunteer.  That's why I'm running for State Representative. Our community needs new leadership in Springfield."

For more information, visit www.Vote4Mel.com and Facebook page www.facebook.com/MelThillens.