Norridge Village Board member Dan Tannhauser was appointed village president Tuesday to complete the term of former president James Chmura, who resigned effective June 30.
Tannhauser’s fellow board members voted unanimously to appoint him to the position through the next municipal election in April 2021.
Chmura has served six years as village president and before that 15 years as village finance director. His resignation was announced during a June 24 meeting in a letter ready by Village Administrator Joanna Skupien.
Residents, village officials, police officers and more than a dozen members of Tannhauser’s family packed the Village Board room Tuesday and erupted in a standing ovation after the new president was sworn in by Village Clerk Debra Budnik.
“It feels really good,” said Tannhauser. “At this point it’s all very new and it’s a big step, but I’m excited to work with the board and all the village departments.”
The new president said Chmura “will be missed.”
Tannhauser, a lifelong Norridge resident and local business owner, said he will likely run for village president in April 2021.
He said he hopes to help village departments work together better, including the Police, Fire and Public Works departments.
“I think there was some friction between them before,” said Tannhauser, who said he hopes everyone can be open and improve communication.
Joe Spain, superintendent of the Public Works Department, said he has high hopes for Tannhauser’s leadership.
Spain, a 57-year resident of Norridge, said that as a village employee, the appointment affects him “both personally and professionally.”
“Myself, and a lot of other people are excited for Dan,” said Spain. “Norridge has been going in the right direction and Dan will continue us on that route.”
Irene and Scott Bogdal, family friends of Tannhauser who have lived in Norridge for 28 years, came to the meeting to show support for the new president and said they were very happy with the appointment.
“I think he’ll represent Norridge well,” said Scott Bogdal.
Trustee Kucharski nominated Tannhauser for village president.
“He went to school here, he built his home here, he has his business here. Who could be better for the betterment of Norridge?” she said.
Tannhauser was raised in Norridge, graduated from Ridgewood High School, owns a home in the village and owns a local business, TANNCO Construction Inc. He said he has chosen to build his life in Norridge because he has always loved the closeness of the village.
His children, Tim and Tiffany Tannhauser, also graduated from Ridgewood and now work for the family business. After Tannhauser was sworn in, his children and his wife, Karen Tannhauser, joined him for a family photo inside Village Hall.
The new president said that during his term he also hopes to keep developing Norridge to bring in more revenue and to keep taxes low.
