Clarendon Hills Announces New Village Manager

The village of Clarendon Hills has appointed Randy Recklaus as its next village manager. Recklaus' contract will be considered at the Feb. 7 village board meeting. He is expected to start with the village on Feb. 28. Recklaus succeeds Rob Bahan who left the position in Nov. 2010 to become the village manager for Winnetka.

Since 2000, Recklaus has served as the Assistant City Administrator for the City of Batavia. Recklaus also worked for economic development consulting firm S.B. Friedman and Company and the city of St. Charles. He has a Master of Public Administration degree from Northern Illinois University. The village selected Recklaus for the village manager position out of a pool of 112 candidates from 30 states.

"We are very impressed with Mr. Recklaus's accomplishments, including his private sector and economic development experience," said Village President Tom Karaba. "We believe he will work very well with our residents, our business community and our municipal organization."

While in Batavia, Recklaus served as the project manager for the city's financial sustainability project, studying all revenues, expenditures and city operations, resulting in a savings of $1 million annually. He also directed the city's economic development function, negotiating several agreements for successful mixed-use and commercial projects in downtown Batavia. He also was involved in the development and implementation of Batavia's downtown redevelopment plan.

"I am truly honored to be chosen as the next village manager of Clarendon Hills. It is one of Chicagoland's best-kept secrets," said Recklaus. "The village board and management team here have a very open and pro-active approach to local government that I am proud to carry on. I look forward to geting to know the residents and business community over the coming months and taking on the challenges that lie ahead."

Recklaus and his wife, Tracy, both grew up in DuPage County and attended Downers Grove North High School where they met. They have two young children.