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Politics & Government

City Manager Dave Limardi Resigns

Highland Park's longest serving city manager will step down Jan. 1, 2012.

Longtime Highland Park City Manager , 58, announced his resignation Monday effective January 1 in a letter to and the City Council. 

Limardi, who has held his position for more than 18 years, is the longest serving city manager in the Highland Park’s history. Though he had no comment at Monday’s regularly scheduled Council meeting, he has scheduled a news conference at 9 a.m. Tuesday at City Hall. 

“Dave Limardi has served our city very well during his 18 years on the job,” Rotering said Monday. “His professionalism and thoroughness as well as his creativity have given us a tremendous foundation and continuity.” 

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Three-term City Councilman has worked closely with Limardi for more than 10 years. Kirsch praised Limardi's character, professionalism and the recognition he received from his peers across the nation. 

“It’s a tremendous loss to the community, a devastating loss,” Kirsch said. “To me, Dave Limardi was honest and transparent. You never had a doubt in your mind he was a true professional with the highest integrity."

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Limardi was elected president of the International City/County Management Association (ICMA) in 2008 and 2009, a professional organization of nearly 9,000 municipal professionals. 

Lake Forest City Manager Bob Kiely has known Limardi for many years through the ICMA and the Northwest Municipal Conference. Kiely also considers Limardi one of the top municipal managers around.

"Dave (Limardi) has not only been a masterful city manager in Illinois and the country, he has provided a lot of leadership for the city of Highland Park," Kiely said. "Highland Park has been better off for his 18 years of service."

During Limardi’s tenure, the former Ft. Sheridan was redeveloped, Renaissance Place was built and Taste of Highland Park became an annual event, attracting thousand to the city in conjunction with the Port Clinton Art Fair. New fire and police stations were built. 

In his letter, Limardi credited these accomplishments to his staff. 

“The Highland Park city government is fortunate to have an elite senior management team,” Limardi wrote. “I remain in awe of their accomplishments on a daily basis in a challenging environment.” 

Former is quick to give Limardi credit for a great deal of the city’s success during Belsky’s tenure in city government. Belsky served as a Council member for eight years and mayor for another eight while Limardi was city manager. 

“David (Limardi) is an intelligent, unflappable, honest, creative and capable administrator,” Belsky said. “Highland Park has evolved into a great city over the past couple of decades. Much of this can be attributed to Dave Limardi's leadership and the professionalism of the staff he attracted to work on behalf of Highland Park.” 

Highland Park Corporation Counsel Steve Elrod, who has served 10 years, has worked with numerous municipalities in his legal career. He places Limardi among the best. 

“I’m happy for him and sad for us. He is a tremendous asset to the City of Highland Park,” Elrod said. “In my career I have seen and worked with dozens of city and village managers throughout Illinois and Dave Limardi is one of the finest."

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