Wilmette Park District Executive Director Steve Wilson has announced his resignation, and the Park District Board has approved a separation agreement for him, as proceedings continue in a lawsuit brought against him and the Board that seeks $5 million in damages, per documents.
Wilson, who was initially hired by the Park District in 2007 and promoted to executive director in 2011, announced in a Jan. 6 letter his last day with the park district would be Jan. 31. He said he had revealed his plans to the Park Board in December.
“This decision comes after extensive discussions and planning with the Board of Park Commissioners and with careful consideration with my family,” Wilson wrote.
Wilson’s previous contract expired on Dec. 31st and he was not offered a new contract, according to Park District spokesman JP McNamara.
At their Jan. 13 meeting, Board members unanimously approved (6-0 with one member absent) a separation agreement for Wilson as part of the overall consent agenda
Wilson’s 2023 annual salary was $201,486, McNamara wrote in an e-mail. Under the terms of the separation agreement, the Park District will pay Wilson an amount equal to his last regular weekly salary for 20 weeks through and including Friday, June 20, according to Park District documents. The park district will also pay the employer share of his health insurance over that same period.
Wilson’s resignation comes as legal proceedings continue against him and the Park Board in a lawsuit filed by the estate of Elizabeth Cox, a longtime Park District employee who was serving as Superintendent of Human Resources and Risk Management at the time of her resignation in May 2023, several months after she had been diagnosed with breast cancer. She died in December 2023.
After Cox’s death, her estate, including her husband Kevin, filed a lawsuit against Wilson and the Park District alleging misconduct in the workplace and that alleged actions and a toxic work environment led to emotional distress for his wife in her final months of employment at the Park District.
The lawsuit alleges Wilson retaliated against Cox, who was investigating his alleged relationship with a subordinate.
Cook County Judge Michael Barrett dismissed the original lawsuit in October, but an amended version has since been filed, according to court records.
Cox’s attorney Thomas Skallas said the lawsuit would continue even in the light of Wilson’s decision to leave the Park District.
“Steve Wilson’s resignation comes too little, too late for Liz Cox and the many other former employees who no longer work for the Wilmette Park District because of Mr. Wilson’s conduct,” Skallas wrote in a statement. “While it is telling that the Park District Board did not even bother to thank Mr. Wilson for his 17 years of service, they remain complicit in supporting him and his conduct.”
McCarthy, the Park District spokesman, responded by saying the Wilmette Park District and Steve Wilson “vehemently deny” the allegations and would not discuss them “other than in the proper venue.”
The parties appeared before Barrett on Jan. 7 with the next court date scheduled for March 13.
With Wilson’s resignation, the board will seek a new administrative leader for the park district.
“After receiving Steve’s resignation letter, the Park Board’s top priority is to hire an interim executive director who will support Park District staff, oversee operations, and ensure the continuity of quality services for our residents,” said Park Board President Kara Kosloskus.
McNamara said he expected the board would retain an executive search firm to assist in the search for a new permanent executive director.
At the Jan. 13 meeting, Kosloskus thanked Wilson for his years of service and wished him the best in his next professional chapter.
“It is truly remarkable on how you have led us,” Commissioner Mike Murdock said.
Board members and the audience gave Wilson two sustained rounds of applause, including a standing ovation.
