Longtime Bolingbrook Village Clerk Carol Penning Retires

Press release from the Village of Bolingbrook:

Mayor Mary Alexander-Basta and the Village of Bolingbrook announced the retirement of long-time Village Clerk Carol Penning at the December 15th Village Board meeting.

Penning submitted her resignation effective on Friday, December 18th, citing health issues preventing her from serving out her term, which ends with the April 6, 2021 election.

The members of the board accepted her resignation.

At the same meeting, dedicated community leader and local business owner Martha “Marti” M. Barton was appointed to complete Penning’s term as Village Clerk.

Carol Penning began her career working for the Village of Bolingbrook in 1978 after moving from Chicago the year before. She has served eight consecutive elected terms as Village Clerk, working with four mayors: Robert Bailey, Edward Rosenthal, Roger Claar, and Mary Alexander-Basta, and during that, time earned her CMC (Certified Municipal Clerk) designation. In 2014, she celebrated her 25th anniversary as the elected Village Clerk.

This year marks 31 years in office, which she imbued with a true “giving spirit” for the residents of Bolingbrook.

“I found a niche in the position of Village Clerk – public service and helping people – a calling that would take me all the way through to 2020. I am now blessed to open a new chapter in my life,” said Penning. Carol is looking to spend more time with her faith, family, friends, volunteer work and better health. She will remain in Bolingbrook - “I am not going anywhere….Bolingbrook is my home."

She will continue to work with the Community Service Council, Operation Christmas, the Bolingbrook Veterans and the Bolingbrook Historic Preservation Commission. Penning plans to remain in touch with the Clerk’s Office to ensure a smooth transition into 2021.

Penning asked Mayor Basta and the Village Board to consider the name of Marti Barton to complete her unexpired term. Penning was impressed that Marti took the initiative to take an on-line Clerk training course through the Illinois Municipal League sponsored. Barton approached Penning when she found out that Carol would not be running again and Marti Barton asked, “What can I do to help you and the Village Clerk’s Office?”

Penning appreciated Marti’s invitation to help. Penning shared that she wanted to be at home with family during the holidays and avoid the winter weather. Therefore she would be leaving sooner than the expiration of her term of office.

Martha “Marti” M. Barton has been a resident of Bolingbrook since 1987. She is a former English teacher, has established two local businesses, and is an ordained non-denominational minister.

She has been active in the Bolingbrook Area Chamber of Commerce, having served 12 years on its board (one as board president) and as an Ambassador, currently chairs the Chamber’s networking group and Small Business Coalition, has received its Best of Bolingbrook Businesses award in 2006 and in 2019, and was recognized in 2014 with its Community Leadership award. In 2006, she was named as Bolingbrook’s Female Citizen of the Year.

On stepping into the position vacated by Penning, Barton said, “Carol has raised the bar very high and has left big shoes to fill. I look forward to continuing her legacy of service to the residents of Bolingbrook, completing the projects she set in motion, and to the challenge of launching some new initiatives to help Bolingbrook move forward into the future."

This press release was produced by the Village of Bolingbrook. The views expressed here are the author’s own.