Shorewood Replaces Economic Development Director

SHOREWOOD, IL — After less than three years on the job, one of Shorewood's top village officials, Kelley Chrisse, is no longer employed as the economic development director, Patch has learned.

Chrisse attended Shorewood's Village Board meeting on Feb. 8, giving her regular update to Shorewood's elected officials. However, at the village board meeting Feb. 22, Natalie Engel was identified as the village economic development director, and Chrisse's name and contact information were removed from Shorewood's website.

On Wednesday morning, Patch called Chrisse about her departure from Shorewood, and she declined to comment. She said she is not employed at the moment.

Patch asked her if Shorewood Village Manager Aaron Klima wanted her to leave, and she responded by saying, "no comment. "

Last Friday, Patch asked Klima about Chrisse's sudden departure from Shorewood.

"We just parted ways," Klima said. "She's just moved on."

The long-time Shorewood police chief, Klima took over as Shorewood's village manager in May and his appointment became permanent in January.

According to her LinkedIn profile, Chrisse became Shorewood's economic development director in April 2019. Before that, she worked as assistant community development director for Wood Dale, from 2015 until 2019. She was a village planner from 2013 until 2015 for Downers Grove.

Chrisse was the seventh highest-paid Shorewood official, according to the 2021-22 budget, making an annual salary of $116,532.

As village planner, Engel made $78,797.

Engel joined Shorewood in August 2019 as village planner. Before that, Engel worked in Roselle for five years as its economic development coordinator.

Engel was Romeoville's assistant director of community development and a planner, from July 2000 until November 2011.

Klima said that Engel has been installed as Shorewood's permanent economic development director, meaning that a job candidate search is not necessary.

"Natalie has done a fantastic job, she's qualified," Klima said, adding that the village board and Mayor CC DeBold have a lot of confidence in her.