Mayor Promotes Firefighter to Lieutenant, Announces New Character Counts President

Elmhurst firefighter Tim Lisowski, 36, was sworn as a lieutenant at Monday’s City Council meeting.

He served the Elmhurst fire department for 10 years, beginning as a paramedic. He has a degree from Southern Illinois University and several certifications, including hazardous materials coordinator.

“One of my favorite things is to see these guys rise through the ranks,” Elmhurst Mayor Pete DiCianni said before swearing him in.

T-shirts for All

DiCianni also announced the new president for the program in Elmhurst is local chiropractor Dr. John Jevitz.

The Character Counts program touts six pillars of character students can aspire to: trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and citizenship. The national program includes  character education support materials to encourage children to be the best that they can be.

“We profess this in school, in the workplace. The pillars of character are very important,” DiCianni said. “I’m so elated with the new president. He exemplifies character. He’s got a ton of energy.”

Jevitz’s first goal is to provide every Elmhurst resident with a Character Counts T-shirt and car decal this year. Elmhurst College also is partnering in the mission.

Search Begins

DiCianni also reminded the public that input is needed as the search begins for a new city manager.

"We have been privileged, delighted and very fortunate to have a city manager that has been with us since 1984 as a city manager, 40 years as a ctiy employee," he said of Tom Borchert, "Those are tough shoes to fill."

From 7:30 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 23, the city will hold a public forum at City Hall to learn what residents want in a new city manager.DiCianni encouraged everyone to attend that meeting or to fill out an online survey.

"This is a very important decision for everyone that's a resident of this town," he said.

The city manager must handle complaints; personnel, economic development and historical preservation issues; intergovernmental issues with the parks and schools; stormwater issues; and basically everything to do with the day-to-day operations of the city, he said.

"The person that we're looking for is a very critical person," DiCianni said. "We need to hear from you."