La Grange's New Community Development Director Signs on, Sets Sights on Downtown

A new community development director joins the village of La Grange this week.

Charity Jones replaces 27-year village staff member Patrick Benjamin, who retired in February, according to a Chicago Tribune report. The La Grange Park resident formerly worked for the village of Lemont and signed on locally with an annual paycheck of $112,000.

The Tribune article cites Village President Thomas E. Livingston in saying Jones brought a "personal energy and awareness of La Grange" that placed her a cut above other applicants. She is particularly interested in working closely with community members to leverage and grow the downtown business district.

"A goal will be to assess the village's economic development strategies and then work with the village leadership to build upon or modify those strategies to best position La Grange for continued economic success," she said, according to the story.

Check out the full report for additional details.