Severance Deal Set For Burr Ridge's Longest-Serving Employee

BURR RIDGE, IL – Last year, Burr Ridge officials marked employee John Wernimont's 40th year with a resolution noting that he was the first worker to reach the milestone.

On Monday, the Village Board is expected to adopt another resolution honoring Wernimont's service. Afterward, trustees are set to vote on a severance package for Wernimont.

In an email to Patch on Friday, Wernimont described himself as "very grateful."

"I am very pleased and grateful for the blessing the Village of Burr Ridge has been to me all through the years and even up to the ending of my career at this time, and they have been wonderful and very helpful to me at the nearing of my retirement date," he said.

His last day is next Friday.

A message for comment was left Friday with village officials.

Under the agreement, Wernimont, the operations supervisor in the public works department, will receive a $20,000 payment in August and be on the village's health insurance through August 2026. Wernimont fully released the village from any claims of liability and agreed not to seek or accept future employment with the village, according to the document.

The resolution said Wernimont has provided "outstanding support and service" to residents and businesses and set an example of excellence in the department. He was promoted to operations supervisor in 2012.

Wernimont demonstrated knowledgeable management and oversight of village buildings, the public works fleet, village streets and stormwater drainage, according to the resolution.

"John Wernimont has dutifully, safely, and promptly responded countless times, after hours and on weekends and holidays, for emergency calls, urgent maintenance needs, and dangerous flooding conditions, to expeditiously satisfy our community’s highest expectations," the resolution said.

He was also known for his decades-long participation in local events such as the former Harvester Days with demonstrations of village equipment, the village said.

In his time, Wernimont witnessed Burr Ridge's population triple.