After 32 years spent taking notes for pretty much every meeting held by the City of Countryside’s administration, Fran Prokop is giving her pen and notebook a break.
Prokop, 89, who started working as the city’s recording secretary in September 1993, attended her final city council meeting on Sept. 24.
She still loves the work. It’s the commute that made up her mind.
“I just don’t want to drive in the winter time. That’s a good hike. That’s the only reason,” said Prokop, who lives in Plainfield.
But she kept the door open to part-time work in the future, telling the city council and other officials she’d be happy to work on daytime meetings or type of minutes if sent recordings.
During the city council meeting, Mayor Sean McDermott and several aldermen spoke highly of Prokop and what’s she’s meant to Countryside.
“Have you calculated how many meetings?” McDermott asked.
No, she has no. But McDermott knows she’s played an important role.
“We want to thank you for the outstanding contribution you have made to the city of Countryside,” McDermott said.
“I’ve always said that the most important person at a city council meeting is not the mayor, it’s not the city council. It’s the person who keeps the minutes because you actually control how that is tabulated and what is said for the official record of the city to go down in perpetuity,” the mayor said.
He presented Prokop with flowers and a gift certificate to show the city’s appreciation.
Ald. Tom Mikolyzk (2nd) said he could not recall one correction ever being needed after the minutes are prepared by Prokop.
Prokop, who has gone through four mayors, said, “it’s been great. I love it.”
Ald. Mark Benson (3rd) said, “Congratulations and thank you for all your service. I wish you the best of luck in the future.”
One thing Ald. John Finn (1st) said he noticed was that Prokop “always has a smile on your face.”
“I enjoyed it all. If I didn’t, I wouldn’t have this smile,” she replied.
City Clerk Elizabeth Kmet said she’s consistently been surprised by how quickly Prokop produces minutes, usually a day or two after a meeting.
The city plans to use AI to take notes at future meetings, Prokop said.
“I think AI will be okay for the city council. But I think for planning and zoning … if they don’t like what AI does, send the tapes to me and I’ll (prepare the minutes) at home,” she said.
Taking notes has been her career.
Prokop had been a court reporter and then worked for a judge for 16 years before she retired in 1999.
Prior to joining the city, she had been working as a recording secretary for the Pleasantdale Park District and was there when the district and city worked together regarding the future of the former Maplecrest Golf Course.
That 12-hole course is now home to a nine-hole track better known as Flagg Creek Golf Course.
Former City Administrator Pat McDonald was so impressed by Prokop’s work, he asked her to become the city’s recording secretary.
In a side project that Prokop has been doing for several years, she has interviewed 110 veterans. Those interviews are in the Library of Congress, she said.
“That’s going to be my legacy, really,” she said. “I’m proud of that.”
She explained how it works.
“When you type in the veteran’s name and his date of service, up pops his picture and the whole interview. His family members, his children, his grandchildren can hear that person’s voice even after he’s gone,” she said.
I have known Fran for years. She is wonderful friend and dedicated to everything she does. Congratulations Fran.