County Board Hires Fladhammer as Chief of Staff
By Nick Reiher
County Board leadership has hired attorney Kim Fladhammer as its new Chief of Staff, replacing Nick Palmer.
Palmer resigned last month to become administrator for the Village of Manhattan. Prior to working with the County Board, he had served as Chief of Staff for the late County Executive Larry Walsh Sr.
“I wanted a Chief of Staff who is an attorney,” said County Board Chair Judy Ogalla, R-Monee. “And of the candidates we interviewed, Kim impressed not only me, but Republican Majority Leader Steve Balich and Minority Leader Jackie Traynere.
“We are fortunate to have Kim on board.”
Ogalla added they were impressed with the breadth of Fladhammer’s experience, as well as her management experience, which she said will be helpful when working with 22 board members and staff.
Fladhammer, whose first day was January 9, graduated from Illinois State University in 1989, and earned her JD from Northern Illinois University in 1992, when she also was admitted to the U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois; U.S. Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit.
Prior to her recent position as a corporate attorney, she has served as Assistant Corporation Counsel for the City of Joliet, and before that, as an Assistant State’s Attorney in Henry and Will counties.
While working with the City of Joliet, Fladhammer represented its officials and officers in numerous matters in state and federal courts and handled appeals in the Seventh Circuit and the Illinois Appellate Court.
Ogalla noted that while working for the Will County State’s Attorney’s Office, she managed 14 of the youngest Assistant State’s Attorneys and 10 support staff.
“Having an attorney as our Chief of Staff will benefit the Board in helping with the many questions that pop up at meetings,” Ogalla said.
Ogalla said Fladhammer’s salary will be $115,000 annually.