After the executive director of the Wilmette Park District resigned in early January following the Wilmette Board of Park Commissioners’ decision not to renew his contract, the Board has appointed an interim director, Margaret Resnick.
The previous director, Steve Wilson, who was hired by the Park District in 2007 and promoted to executive director in 2011, served his last day with the district Jan. 31. The Board did not renew his contract after it ended Dec. 31, according to a district spokesperson and previous reporting.
The district said Resnick brings over 30 years of experience in parks and recreation management and served as executive director for multiple park districts in Illinois and as Interim Executive Director for the Illinois Park & Recreation Association.
“The Board is delighted to welcome an Interim Executive Director with the wealth of experience Margaret brings,” said Park Board President Kara Kosloskus. “Her leadership will support our staff, oversee operations and ensure a smooth transition as we begin our search for the next Executive Director.”
Resnick started Jan. 20.
Wilson’s resignation came as legal proceedings continued 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.
The next court date in the case is scheduled for March 13.