Homewood Director Of Public Works Retires After 42 Years

HOMEWOOD, IL — John D. Schaefer, Director of Public Works for the Village of Homewood, has retired, effective Friday, June 28 following 42 years of public service. Assistant Public Works Director Joshua Burman stepped into the role of Director effective on Schaefer’s last day with the Village.

Schaefer was hired as a full-time employee for Homewood Public Works in 1982 as a Utility Maintenance Worker and then was promoted to Utility Crew Leader in 1984. After six years, Schaefer was then promoted to a supervisor role in 1990. In 1994, Schaefer accepted the Assistant Director of Public Works position. Schaefer eagerly took the role of Acting Director of Public Works in 1996 until the position became permanent in 1998. Schaefer has been the Director for the past 26 years.

Schaefer was a multi-faceted employee over the 42-year tenure. He served as Homewood’s acting Director of Community Development and a part-time Homewood firefighter for 25 years. During his time in the Homewood Fire Department he was a member of the Homewood Dive and Rescue team, CART Technical Rescue team and an academy instructor. Schaefer holds an EPA Class A Water License and numerous other certifications.

"John has been a 'known professional quantity' in the municipal world for many years," said Village Manager Napoleon Haney. "John is a rarity in that, although he had an extensive tenure with Homewood, he was able to consistently remain passionate, creative and highly effective. We’re going to miss John’s tenacity to accomplish big things, his humor and calm demeanor. He’s a real Homewood hero."

Schaefer has overseen public improvements to streets, water and sewer systems and public lands and buildings including the Prairie Lakes infrastructure, Wetland and Prairie Development, Linden-Gladville Stormwater and Sewer Project; Highland Avenue Stormwater Project, Dixie Highway Stormwater Project, Downey Manor Sewer and Street Replacement Project, Merchants Park Stormwater Detention Project, Prairie Lakes Wetland Expansion, the Southgate Streetscape Project.

Schaefer has supervised numerous landscape beautification projects, was instrumental in overseeing the development of the Rail Platform, spearheaded the use of geothermal energy for the heating and cooling of the public safety building, lead the way of the water system changeover from Harvey to Chicago Heights/Hammond, making traffic and safety changes to 183rd Street and helped provide successful events and festivals to the community.

Before Schaefer announced his retirement, his last big initiative was the Lead Service Line Replacement Project kickoff. Schaefer will continue to advise the Village on larger scale projects.