Joliet's New HR Director Comes From Aurora: 'My Vision Is To Strengthen Government Transparency'

(The following edited press release came from Joliet's media relations director Rosemaria DiBenedetto.)

JOLIET, IL — Joliet City Manager Beth Beatty announced on Wednesday that Elizabeth Coronado Abrego, a human resources executive and military veteran, has been selected as the new human resources director for City Hall. Her starting salary will be $165,000, city officials told Joliet Patch.

With more than 20 years of experience in human resources management — including 11 years of service with the City of Aurora — Abrego brings expertise and a proven record of leadership to the city’s executive team, DiBenedetto said.

Abrego will oversee all aspects of the City’s human resources operations, including employee and labor relations, recruitment and retention, training and development, compensation and benefits, and diversity and inclusion initiatives. She will also play a key role in strategic planning, policy development, and fostering a positive and productive workplace culture for the City’s workforce.

“Elizabeth’s extensive background in HR leadership, combined with her service as a military veteran and more than a decade of municipal HR experience in Aurora, makes her an outstanding choice to lead our Human Resources Department,” Beatty announced in the press release. “We are confident that she will strengthen our organization, support our employees, and help us continue to deliver high-quality services to the residents of Joliet.”

Prior to joining Joliet, Abrego served in senior human resources leadership roles with the City of Aurora, where she implemented workforce development initiatives, modernized HR systems, and enhanced employee engagement programs.

“As the Human Resources Director, my vision is to strengthen government transparency, modernize our practices through the efficient use of technology, and create a people-centered HR department that empowers employees to thrive,” Abrego said. “By aligning innovation with accountability, we will build trust, enhance services, and ensure that the City of Joliet remains a model of excellence and inclusion for both employees and residents.”

Abrego is a military veteran who holds multiple professional certifications in human resources and leadership development. She will assume her new role on November 24, following the retirement of Human Resources Director Kathy Franson, who retired on Halloween after eight years at Joliet.