Bringing a diverse professional background to her new role, Wendy West was sworn in last week as Willow Springs’ newest village trustee, to fill the vacancy on the board left by Fred Posch, who retired from the board last April.
The appointment of West, who has been serving on the village’s Parks and Recreation Commission, was approved unanimously during the July 9 Village Board meeting. Her term will expire April 30, 2027.
“It’s our pleasure working with her and getting to know her,” village President Melissa Neddermeyer said before inviting West to take her oath of office. “She consistently shows up here to help residents.”
West said her immediate focus as a new trustee is on understanding the village’s needs and priorities.
“My first priority is to listen, learn and collaborate,” she said. “I have not been involved long enough to fully understand all of the village’s challenges and opportunities, so I look forward to getting to know our residents, hearing their perspectives and gaining a deeper understanding of the issues that matter most to them.”
At the same time, West expressed support for the village board’s efforts to date.
“I appreciate the strong work being done by the current administration to keep the village operating smoothly and efficiently,” she said.
“My goal is to support those efforts and I am excited for the opportunity to serve the community.”
A financial advisor with expertise in budgeting and financial planning, West also serves as president of the La Grange Business Association, where she collaborates with business leaders and community stakeholders to support economic vitality.
“As a self-employed business owner and financial advisor, I have developed strong skills in budgeting, financial planning and responsible decision-making,” West said. “My experience working for park districts when I was a teenager also gave me an appreciation for the importance of providing quality services and opportunities to residents.”
West emphasized her commitment to ensuring diverse voices are heard on the board.
“As a woman and a business professional, I hope to bring a diverse perspective to the board and help ensure that different voices within our community are heard,” she said.
West’s appointment comes as Willow Springs faces significant growth and development.
The village has issued 880 building permits this year—triple the prior year—and last week approved a major sidewalk infrastructure project.
“I am truly honored and excited to have the opportunity to serve as a village trustee,” West
said. “Being entrusted with this responsibility is a privilege, and I am grateful for the confidence placed in me. I look forward to working alongside my fellow trustees, village staff and residents to support our community and help ensure the village continues to thrive.”
West moved to Willow Springs in August 2020 with her husband, a sergeant with the Cook County Sheriff’s Police, and her stepdaughter, a nursing student at Purdue University.
“We love it here,” she said of the community.
The village president will appoint someone to fill West’s parks commission seat in the coming weeks, said Village Administrator Ryan Grace.