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VOL. 13 • NO. 29
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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2016
Village president steps down to accept Governor’s appointment
Soto oversaw heralded turnaround amid repeated challenges After eight years of service to Bensenville, Frank Soto announced his resignation as Village President of the 132-year-old community on Wednesday. Soto is resigning after accepting an appointment by Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner to serve in a leadership role with the Illinois Worker’s Compensation Commission. Soto’s resignation was accepted at a special Village Board meeting on Friday, Dec. 9. “I am humbled by the trust that our residents have placed in me and my ability to work with others to improve our community,” Soto said. “While I am excited about this new opportunity to serve the people of Illinois, I will always hold a special place in my heart from my time as Village president. Bensenville is strategically positioned for great success in the future and I will continue to do all that I can to support this amazing community and the people in it.” Soto was elected Village President in 2009, one year after Forbes named the community the fastestdying small town in America. Bensenville faced an $8 million budget deficit and lost hundreds of homes and businesses – and their tax revenues – due to the expansion of O’Hare International Airport. But Soto confronted those challenges head-on, working with Trustees, village leaders and business owners to develop plans to
“
I am humbled by the trust that our residents have placed in me and my ability to work with others to improve our community.”
– Frank Soto Village President
help Bensenville rebound. A revamping of city codes and investments in infrastructure improvements followed, as did private investments. Today, new houses are being built and the village is home to several new businesses. Bensenville has a strong credit rating and the village recently passed a budget with no property tax increases. Soto helped usher in a Fly Quiet program, allowing flights to rotate around the community, while he and village leaders continue to work with the Illinois Tollway to secure Western Access to O’Hare, a project that could generate thousands of new jobs in Bensenville. Village Trustees expect to create a temporary chairman position tonight, to lead board meetings until Soto’s term expires next spring.
Inside:
Police Reports...........6 Sports �������������������� 16 Church.....................8 Classifieds..........19-20
Holiday happiness DJ, 10, and Danni, 3, of Bensenville, attended the Special Kids Day holiday party at Wilder Mansion in Elmhurst on Wednesday, Dec. 7. The event (22 years and counting!) is open to kids with special needs along with their families and features crafts, face painting, balloon twisting, music, cookies and a chance to meet Santa!
PAUL DELGUIDICE PHOTO Bensenville Independent
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