Outgoing Mokena Trustees Honored, Newly Elected Sworn In

MOKENA, IL — The newly elected officials took their seats at the Mokena Village Board's Monday meeting, as outgoing trustees Jillian Hersted and Joseph Siwinski were honored for their service.

Those who took their oaths of office at Monday's meeting include re-elected officials Mayor Frank Fleischer, Village Clerk Melissa Martini and Trustee George Metanias, and new trustees Melissa Fedora and Rob Dauphinais.

Hersted and Siwinski were both honored with proclamations for their years of service. Neither trustee ran for re-election in the April election.

Hersted, a Mokena resident for 17 years, was first elected as Village Clerk in 2017, appointed as Village Trustee in 2018 and elected as trustee for a 2-year term from 2019-2021, according to the proclamation. She also served on the village's economic development commission for 11 years.

"You've performed your duties with grace and respect, while wanting to understand the past as you considered policy decisions moving forward," Village Administrator John Tomasoski said.

Siwinski, a life-long Mokena resident, first became a trustee in 1995. He served from 1995-2003 as trustee, and again from 2005-2021, according to the proclamation.

Former village trustees, mayors and staff sent in video messages, sending well wishes to Siwinski after his decades of service.

"You sought to contribute without judging those who may or may not have agreed with you, and on those few occasions when you could not support what the group had decided, you voted your conscience, moved on and never allowed these instances to be a barrier with anyone moving forward," former village administrator John Downs said.

"Your commitment to the community and your ability to work with others were your great arts and your skills," he said.

"Mokena has been very, very good to me and my family. And I couldn't be more proud," Siwinski said.

"Joe has become a really good friend of mine," Trustee George Metanias said. The two didn't start off on friendly terms, after running against each other during a volatile time in Mokena politics in the 2000s.

"Your broad knowledge of this town and love you have for Mokena showed what kind of person you are," Metanias said.

"You've really been a joy to work with," Mayor Frank Fleischer said.

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