Bourbonnais, IL – The Village of Bourbonnais is announcing the upcoming retirement of Village
Administrator Michael J. Van Mill, AICP, whose final day with the Village will be Friday, September
25, 2026. Following more than a decade of service to Bourbonnais and more than three decades
in public service and economic development, Van Mill leaves behind a significant legacy of
growth, infrastructure investment, financial stewardship and community development. The Village is now beginning its search for his successor.

Van Mill’s career has been grounded in both education and professional expertise. A 1983
graduate of Bishop McNamara Catholic High School, he earned a bachelor’s degree in finance
from Lewis University and a master’s degree in public administration from Governors State University. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) and a former
Certified Economic Developer (CEcD), credentials that reflect the economic development and
long-range planning expertise that have defined his career.

Before joining the Village of Bourbonnais in December 2015, Van Mill spent nearly two decades
with Kankakee County, serving as County Planning Director and later as the first President and CEO of the Economic Alliance of Kankakee County, a non-profit, public-private partnership he pioneered that serves as the official economic development organization for the county. During his county career, he led and supported economic development programs, Enterprise Zone initiatives, regional corridor planning and partnerships with municipalities on land use and
development. He was also involved in the long-term planning surrounding the Bourbonnais
Parkway/I-57 interchange, an initiative that would eventually become one of the region’s most
significant infrastructure and economic development projects.

That experience provided a strong foundation for Van Mill’s tenure in Bourbonnais. As Village Administrator, he helped guide the Village through the completion of the Bourbonnais Parkway/I-
57 interchange, which opened in 2018 and created new opportunities for industrial and commercial development. He also helped advance the development tools and infrastructure necessary to support that growth, including business districts, tax increment financing (TIF) and major roadway and utility improvements.

One of the most consequential decisions of Van Mill’s tenure was the sale of the Village’s sewer
collection system to Aqua Illinois in 2021. After years of evaluating the aging system’s infrastructure needs and the Village’s options for addressing them, the $32.2 million sale provided significant debt relief and additional financial resources for future infrastructure investment and long-term financial stability. The decision allowed the Village to address an aging
utility system while preserving resources that could be directed toward other municipal priorities
and future generations of Bourbonnais residents.

Perhaps the most visible expression of Van Mill’s long-term approach is The Grove. What began with a question about what residents wanted to see in the heart of Bourbonnais developed into a multi-year planning process that engaged more than 3,000 residents and ultimately transformed the municipal campus into a year-round regional destination for events, recreation, arts and community gatherings. The Grove opened in 2024 and has quickly become a defining Village
asset. Van Mill’s legacy also extends beyond major capital projects. He recognized the growing importance of communication and public engagement in local government and supported the creation and growth of a dedicated communications and marketing function within the Village.
What began as a single dedicated communications position in 2018 has grown into a full
Communications Department responsible for informing residents, promoting the Village and its
businesses and events, and strengthening connections between local government and the people it serves.

Throughout his career, Van Mill has been recognized for a steady, collaborative and thoughtful
approach to leadership. He has consistently focused on bringing people together, building strong
partnerships and moving important projects and initiatives forward, while keeping the focus on the collective effort and the success of the community rather than on himself. His leadership has
been defined not by seeking the spotlight, but by creating the conditions for others to succeed.
“A simple thank you could never fully express our gratitude for Mike’s dedicated years of public
service and the lasting impact he has made on Bourbonnais,” shared Mayor Jeff Keast. “His contributions extend far beyond the projects during his tenure; they can be seen in the people he
supported, the partnerships he built and the foundation he helped create for the Village’s future.”

The Village of Bourbonnais is now seeking its next Village Administrator to build upon that
foundation and help guide the community into its next chapter. The Village operates under a
council/administrator form of government, with the Village Administrator serving as the Chief
Administrative Officer responsible for day-to-day operations, implementation of Board policies and directives, supervision of Village staff and development of recommendations and initiatives for the Mayor and Board of Trustees. Resumes for the Village Administrator position will be accepted through Wednesday, September 23, 2026.

The full job description, salary range, qualifications and benefits are available through the Village
of Bourbonnais website at villageofbourbonnais.com/government/employment-opportunities.

Village of Bourbonnais Media Contact:
Jakob Knox
Communications Manager
600 Main St. NW
Bourbonnais, IL 60914
(815) 954-6443
knoxj@villageofbourbonnais.com