Jay Vincent has a mean chili recipe, which he proved in February when he won the People’s Choice award at the Palos Park Chili Cookoff in February.
In June, he became the mayor’s choice to join the village council.
Vincent moved to Palos Park in 2021 and it hasn’t taken him long to become a mover and shaker in the community – and it’s not just because of his chili.
He served three years on the village’s plan commission and on June 8, he was sworn in as a commissioner on the village council, replacing retired G. Darryl Reed.
“I feel a responsibility to the Palos Park community,” Vincent said. “This is a great opportunity to serve. I like working around the building. It seemed like a real natural to join and bring my particular set of skills to the council.”
And those skills are?
“Public participation and community engagement has been my career,” he said. “I’ve been in the business of telling companies and organizations how they should engage government.
“This is really an opportunity for me to finally serve in this capacity for government. I can put my actions where my mouth is.”
Vincent is the head of a public affairs firm, Outreach Experts. He also publishes a newsletter, the Daily Line, which he says deals with government policy and politics.
“Jay is an ideal candidate for commissioner,” Palos Park Mayor Nicole Milovich-Walters said. “Not only has he served three years on the planning commission, he brings over 20 years of professional experience helping organizations navigate community engagement and public participation challenges involving zoning, land use and public approvals.”
She said Vincent has reviewed hundreds of zoning ordinances and comprehensive plans across 47 states.
Vincent is married to Kelly Vincent and they have two children – Jack and Vivienne. The kids are the reason he made the move from Chicago to Palos Park.
“We moved here because of the education system,” he said. “We wanted a good high school and grammar school for our kids. We weren’t finding that in the city and we made our way out here. It just made a lot of sense.”
Vincent replaces Reed as the commissioner of accounts and finances until the term is up next spring.
Other appointments
Several residents were reappointed to various boards and commissions.
Kirsten Meeder-Ramos and Joe Nicorata are back on the Plan Commission through June 1, 2031.
Rick Bone is back with the Zoning Board of Appeals through June 1, 2031.
Colleen Smith-Costello and Melinda Simon are back on the Recreation Board until June 1, 2029.
Sabrina Szubart, Carol Anderson, Melissa Gierach and Carol Alesia are back on the Beautification Committee through June 1, 2029.
Denise Cowan and Alesia were appointed to the Tree Body committee through June 1, 2023 and Chris Jackiw will fill a vacancy on the Plan Commission through June 1, 2027.
