Harvey to be Palos Heights clerk for more than a day

By Jeff Vorva

Shannon Harvey is getting her second chance at being the City of Palos Heights’ clerk.

This one will last a little longer.

Harvey, whose maiden name is Dunne, has done the job before.

Sort of.

“A fun fact is that this is actually not my first time serving as the Palos Heights city clerk,” she said at the Aug. 15 city council meeting. “Back in 1996, as a part of the Mayor for a Day program, I was city clerk for a day.

“So, what goes around comes around.”

The council voted 7-0, with Alderman Brent Lewandowski absent, to appoint Harvey as the new clerk, replacing 14-year clerk Thomas Kantas, who resigned July 18 for personal reasons.

“One name came into my mind and the same name came to Alderman [Heather] Begley and Treasurer [James] Daemicke,” Mayor Bob Straz said. “That was Shannon Harvey. I couldn’t think of a better person.

“She’s a lifelong resident of Palos Heights. She’s perfect for the job.”

Harvey has an impressive resume as she is a partner at Tressler LLP in Chicago who at one time worked for the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office. She has also served on the Palos Heights Zoning Board of Appeals.

She was named a Rising Star by the Illinois Super Lawyers four straight years from 2018-2021.

Harvey said she loves Palos Heights and is honored to serve on the council.

“Just over 10 years ago, my husband Pat and I bought our first home and for the last almost seven years, we have been raising our daughter, Tess,” she said. “We have so many nieces and nephews, cousins and best friends here and they are loving Palos Heights.”

Many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends were on hand to watch her get sworn in by Straz.

Harvey said before attending the Aug. 15 meeting, she counted 50 children outside on her block.

“There is really no better place to raise our Tess,” she said. “This town is one for everyone. We have the best schools – school districts, grammar schools, high schools…we have a college that attracts people from around the world. We have Lake Katherine. You feel like you are in a magical place.”

She also said that people from other towns who know her ask if there are any homes for sale because they want to come to Palos Heights.

“People want to move here,” Harvey said. “People want to raise their family here. People want to retire here. And the best part about it is that people want to stay here.”