Column: Jon Kendseth begins work as Park Forest's eighth village manager
Park Forest's new village manager, Jon Kindseth, was introduced to the public at Monday night's Village Board meeting, although most of the meeting was spent honoring the man he is succeeding, Tom Mick.
Kindseth, the eighth manager in the 76-year history of the community, spoke briefly and for most of the meeting heard the tributes to Mick while standing in the back of the crowded room.
Mick, who is leaving after serving as the village manager for 20 years, was praised by board members for his dedication, commitment and building of trust.
Hired as the director of personnel under then manager Janet Muchnik in 1998, Mick was promoted to assistant village manager in 2001 and became the village manager in 2005.
Mick announced his planned retirement last some 11 months ago, generating an intensive search for his replacement.
Village Trustee Erin Slone, along with fellow board members Theresa Settles, Tiffani Graham and John Moore, began the search for Mick's replacement last July.
The process also included Mayor Joe Woods and department heads, national, regional, state, Black and Latino manager groups, and the services of MGT, a national consulting firm, which whittled down an initial list of 62 applicants to a dozen. The finalists all had a master's degree in public administration and from five to seven years of governmental experience.
From those 12, six were invited for either personal or virtual interviews with the board, and from there two were invited back for interviews with department heads and a tour of the village.
Slone said it was evident that Kindseth stood out.
'What we saw impressed us all,' she said.
At the end of the tour, Slone said, Kindseth offered suggestions for trustees 'even if he said he was not chosen.'
Kindseth graduated from Illinois State University in 2009 and was an intern with the west suburban community of Westchester for two years, and then assistant to Highwood's manager for another 17 months. In December, 2021, he became the village administrator for Beach Park, a small north suburban village. It was a position he held until he was appointed the deputy city manager of Decatur in 2019.
In Beach Park, he joined with the neighboring communities of Zion and Winthrop Harbor in an agreement to hire an economic development coordinator to market the three municipalities as one unit, sharing sales taxes earned by new business brought to the area.
Under terms of the Park Forest contract, Kindseth will be paid $196,000 this year with a $4,000 raise to $200,000 in 2026.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Business Insider
14 hours ago
- Business Insider
I couldn't build a future on my Nigerian teaching salary, now I earn triple in the U.S.
This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with a successful teen coach and counselor based in Atlanta, U.S. Business Insider Africa has verified his professional background. The author shares his journey from teaching in Nigeria to becoming a successful teen coach and counselor in the U.S. He highlights the improved financial opportunities and infrastructure available in the U.S. that motivated his decision to stay. He emphasizes the importance of strategic planning for those considering emigration, particularly in fields like healthcare, tech, and education. When I first considered leaving Nigeria for the United States, I knew it wouldn't be a straightforward journey, especially with a degree from a Nigerian university. The shift into counseling stemmed from a passion for supporting immigrant and Black youth. Teaching in the US offered better financial opportunities and professional growth compared to Nigeria. While returning to Africa is considered, systemic challenges with credential recognition and mental health infrastructure remain. I studied Education and English at the University of Uyo, and while I was proud of my training and my years of teaching in Akwa Ibom, I also knew that the global job market wouldn't automatically see my degree the way I did. The first hurdle was evaluation. I had to get my transcript assessed by a credential evaluation agency here in the U.S., and even though it was eventually recognized as equivalent to a U.S. bachelor's degree, the process was both expensive and frustrating. Between gathering documents from my alma mater (with the usual delays), paying the evaluation fees, and navigating visa requirements, I can say that the emotional stress was as real as the financial cost. Coming to the U.S., what helped me was the discipline and patience I'd built over the years back in Nigeria. Classroom management is a universal language, and whether you're in Ikot Ekpene or Atlanta, children need structure, attention, and a sense of safety. Financial breakthrough Financially, the difference was almost like night and day. As a teacher in Nigeria, even with over a decade of experience, my salary could barely sustain a modest lifestyle. In the U.S., once I got certified, the starting salary was almost triple what I earned back home. Of course, the cost of living is higher, and bills pile up quickly here, but even with that, the opportunity to save, invest, and build credit made the move worthwhile. The salary was definitely a major factor in my decision to stay—it gave me the breathing room to support my family back home and plan long-term for my own children's future. Transitioning from teaching to counseling Transitioning into counseling came naturally. As a teacher, I always gravitated toward the emotional and psychological well-being of my students. I saw the need, especially among immigrant children and Black youth. I went back to school and acquired more training in counselling, which gave me greater leverage in advancing my career. Would I consider returning to Africa to work in a similar capacity? Yes, and no. Yes, because the need is great, especially in terms of mental health awareness and support systems for young people. But I know the reality—most African systems don't yet recognize U.S. counseling credentials without jumping through hoops. I'd likely need to do a local conversion program or pass certain licensure exams. Also, infrastructure and funding for such roles back home are still catching up. So, while I may consult or volunteer from time to time, I haven't fully committed to returning just yet. What intending migrants should know When it comes to African emigration, I have mixed feelings. On one hand, I believe it's a viable and often necessary route for personal and professional growth—especially when systems at home don't provide fair reward for talent or effort. But I also worry about brain drain and the slow decay of essential services in our countries when the best minds leave. My advice to those considering emigration is simple: come with a plan. Don't come on vibes. Evaluate your credentials, research your field, and have both short-term survival goals and long-term career goals. It's not easy, and it's not always rosy, but it can be worth it if you approach it with intention and discipline. In terms of qualifications that travel well, healthcare remains number one—nurses, doctors, physical therapists, and lab scientists are always in demand. Tech, of course, is booming—whether it's data science, cybersecurity, or software development. Education is also valuable, especially special education and STEM teaching roles. Looking back, I'd say it was definitely easier to move when I did. The immigration climate has become more restrictive, and visa approval is more uncertain now.
San Francisco Chronicle
a day ago
- San Francisco Chronicle
ICE to convert shuttered California prison into state's largest migrant detention center
A sprawling 2,560-bed facility in the high desert town of California City (Kern County) is poised to become the largest migrant detention center in California under a new agreement between Immigration and Customs Enforcement and private prison contractor CoreCivic. Ryan Gustin, the company's senior director of public affairs, told the Chronicle on Friday that CoreCivic has 'begun some preliminary activation activities, pursuant to a letter agreement with our government partners at U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.' According to the Los Angeles Times, the federal government entered into a six-month contract with CoreCivic, with $10 million in 'initial funding.' The facility operated as a state prison until March 2024, when California ended its lease as part of an initiative to eliminate the use of private prisons. The move comes amid a national push by the Trump administration to expand ICE detention capacity from 41,500 to 100,000 beds nationwide. Citing a 'compelling urgency,' ICE has bypassed standard competitive bidding procedures, opting instead for expedited, no-bid contracts with major private contractors such as CoreCivic, the Associated Press reported. 'Never in our 42-year company history have we had so much activity and demand for our services as we are seeing right now,' CoreCivic CEO Damon Hininger said during an earnings call with shareholders last month, citing the company's general business. A recent report from the California Department of Justice listed six active federal immigration processing centers in the state, all run by private companies. Two of the facilities are in Kern County and run by GEO Group, a CoreCivic competitor. They include the Mesa Verde center in Bakersfield and the Golden State annex in McFarland. GEO Group also operates two additional centers in Adelanto, a desert city in San Bernardino County. As of late May, California held nearly 3,200 migrants in detention, ranking third nationally, behind Texas and Louisiana. The addition of the California City facility is expected to increase the state's detention capacity by 36%. California City Mayor Marquette Hawkins acknowledged potential economic benefits, including an estimated 550 new jobs. 'However, we understand that 40% of our residents are Latino,' Hawkins told the Californian. 'We want to make sure there is fairness there. We talked about oversight and my office having the ability to do that.' Originally built by CoreCivic (then known as Corrections Corporation of America) in 1999 for $100 million, the facility first housed federal inmates. It was later leased to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, which operated it as a men's prison for nearly a decade until late 2023. Although the lease officially extended through March 2024, state inmates were relocated earlier. A new sign now identifies the site as the 'California City Immigration Processing Center.' According to Tehachapi News, about 50 vehicles were observed in the parking lot Wednesday afternoon. As of Friday morning, CoreCivic's website listed several job openings at the California City site, including a managerial role with a salary of $81,265 and 13 health care positions. Critics continue to raise alarm over the increasing role of private corporations in immigration enforcement. Advocacy groups, including Californians United for a Responsible Budget — a coalition of more than 100 organizations supporting prison closures — urged Gov. Gavin Newsom to take steps in the 2025-26 state budget to prevent shuttered state prisons from being repurposed for ICE detention. The coalition called on Newsom to fully decommission all 'warm shutdown' facilities — prisons that, while inactive, remain staffed and maintained — arguing they continue to drain state resources and remain vulnerable to federal takeover.
Miami Herald
a day ago
- Miami Herald
Under Armour Doubles Down on HBCU Sports with CIAA Extension
In a move that reinforces its commitment to innovation, performance, and cultural impact in the HBCU community, the CIAA has extended its exclusive apparel partnership with Under Armour through 2029. The announcement comes on the heels of the CIAA Board of Directors meeting, where another major deal was also finalized: keeping the storied CIAA Basketball Tournament in Baltimore through the end of the decade. For the CIAA and its member institutions, it's more than just a jersey deal. 'Under Armour continues to be a powerful partner in our journey, elevating the look, feel, and performance of our student-athletes while reinforcing our identity across the national stage,' said CIAA Commissioner Jacqie McWilliams Parker. 'We are proud to move forward together with a shared commitment to innovation and impact.' Under Armour's relationship with the CIAA began in 2018 after Russell Athletic exited the collegiate uniform space. Facilitated through BSN Sports, the deal gave CIAA programs exclusive access to UA uniforms, gear, footwear, and training equipment. It was a timely and strategic move, especially as other HBCU conferences were locking in similar partnerships. Since then, Under Armour has not just dressed athletes-they've leaned into storytelling. Their "Sisterhood in Style" campaign, launched earlier this year, spotlighted HBCU women and Black Greek life, featuring members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. on the campuses of Bowie State University and Morgan State University. With imagery by Baltimore-based photographer and activist Devin Allen, the campaign tied fashion, culture, and pride together, all wrapped in UA's pink-and-green UA Echo sneaker. This brand of authenticity isn't accidental. Under Armour's headquarters are just minutes from downtown Baltimore, and its ties to the community run deep. Morgan State, a flagship HBCU in Baltimore, has long been a partner institution. The renewed CIAA deal only strengthens the city's connection to both the brand and HBCU sports and culture. So when the CIAA announced that its hoops tournament-an economic and cultural crown jewel for the conference-would stay in Baltimore through 2029, it wasn't just a win for the city. It was synergy in action. A Baltimore-based brand. A Baltimore-hosted HBCU tournament. And a renewed focus on showcasing Black excellence, both on the court and in community storytelling. Beyond the CIAA, Under Armour also outfits HBCUs like Hampton, Howard, and Edward Waters. But this extended commitment with the nation's oldest historically Black athletic conference signals something deeper-a long-term investment in legacy, innovation, and visibility. For the CIAA, the fit remains perfect-on the court, in the culture, and with the City of Baltimore. The post Under Armour Doubles Down on HBCU Sports with CIAA Extension appeared first on HBCU Gameday. Copyright HBCU Gameday 2012-2025
