08-04-2025
Lake Forest hires corporate controller, with private sector experience, to be new finance director
Katie Skibbe, who has worked in both the private sector and other municipal governments, will be Lake Forest's new finance director.
The city announced April 4 the hiring of Skibbe, currently the corporate controller at the Hitchcock Design Group, a landscape and architectural planning firm. She is set to start in Lake Forest on May 5.
Prior to her current role, Skibbe has had a series of finance-related positions at several governmental bodies, including the Des Plaines Park District, the Glenview Park District, and the Village of Buffalo Grove, according to her LinkedIn page.
'Katie's expertise in blending strategic financial management with innovative solutions will be instrumental in upholding Lake Forest's tradition of fiscal stewardship,' City Manager Jason Wicha said in a statement.
Skibbe will oversee the city's financial operation, highlighted by a $117 million Fiscal Year 2025 budget with eight full-time employees.
'I'm honored to join the City of Lake Forest, a community known for its long-standing commitment to fiscal responsibility and financial excellence,' she said in the statement. 'I look forward to collaborating with the city's leadership team to build on the city's legacy and ensure its continued financial success for years to come.'
Skibbe succeeds Elizabeth Holleb, who retired in January.
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Downtown drivers are getting a little bit of relief in the ongoing Deerpath Road renovation project, with two-way traffic now returning to a portion of the busy east-west thoroughfare.
Crews have now completed the water main replacement portion of the Deerpath renovation that started in January, according to the city. Thus, the portion of Deerpath between Green Bay Road to Oakwood is now available for two-way driving and parking. The road had been limited to eastbound-only vehicular traffic during the water main replacement.
However, Deerpath from Oakwood to Western will remain eastbound only for drivers until May when the streetscape enhancements begin. At that time, vehicular traffic between Oakwood and Western will be prohibited, but that stretch will be open for pedestrians.
Completion of the entire project is expected by the end of October, city officials said.
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The city has scheduled a series of individual ward meetings throughout April, allowing for residents to speak with City Council representatives.
The meetings will kick off on April 8 when Aldermen Edward 'Ted' Notz and John Powers (2nd) at the Gorton Community Center located at 400 E. Illinois Road.
On April 15, Ara Goshgarian and Alice LeVert (3rd) have a meeting also scheduled for the Gorton Center.
Nancy Novit and Peter Clemens (1st) are set to meet with the public on Thursday, April 17, at CROYA headquarters at 400 Hastings Road.
Lastly, Eileen Looby Weber and Richard Walther (4th) Ward have a meeting scheduled for Dickinson Hall at 100 East Mill Road on April 29.
All meetings are set for 7 p.m.
