Departing parks leader hears from supporters as Park Board approves separation agreement

Steve Wilson’s resignation as the Wilmette Park District’s executive director is now official after park commissioners unanimously approved a separation agreement on Monday night.

The park district had previously announced that Wilson, who has been executive director since 2011 and a district employee since 2007, would resign effective Jan. 31.

As previously reported by The Record, Wilson’s contract was set to expire at the end of this month, and it is unclear if the Park Board considered renewal.

In a statement, the district said Wilson informed the Park Board of his pending resignation in December and sent a message to district staff on Monday, Jan. 6, saying he was planning a “new chapter.”

The agreement

As part of Wilson’s separation agreement, which is part of the Park Board’s Jan. 13 agenda packet, he will be paid for 20 weeks — through June 20 — following his resignation on Jan. 31. The amount of pay is reportedly equal to his last regular weekly salary ($3,753) . That amount excludes any legally required deductions.

He will also receive health insurance benefits through June 20 if he chooses and retains any unused vacation, personal time off, sick days and floating holidays that he accumulates through Jan. 31.

The agreement also states that Wilson “will assist with the smooth transition of Park district operations to new leadership,” which includes making himself available for questions after his departure, and that he waives any and all legal claims against the park district. According to the agreement, Wilson has not filed any.

Wilson must return all park district property but will be allowed to keep his district-issued cellphone and number; although all work-related information, including emails and text messages, will be deleted.

The agreement also states that “Wilson resigned in good standing from the Park District on or after the Separation Date.”

Commissioners, staff and public bid farewell

The Park Board’s Jan. 13 meeting featured a standing-room-only audience, filled with Wilson’s supporters as the outgoing park district director attended his final regular meeting.

Wilson even received a 20-second standing ovation from members of the audience and commissioners just prior to the board voting on his separation agreement, which was part of the consent agenda.

“We as a board just want to take this moment to thank you, Steve, for your 17 years of service to the district, to the Wilmette community, and we want to wish you great success in your next professional chapter,” Board President Kara Kosloskus said to Wilson.

Commissioner Mike Murdock, who was on the board in 2011 when Wilson was promoted to executive director, praised Wilson’s financial work for the park district.

In particular, Murdock said the park district never had to seek a referendum under Wilson’s tenure, and still completed multiple large projects.

“I don’t think there’s another park district in the state that could have accomplished these projects, other than maybe the Chicago Park District, without other support from the taxpayers,” he said. “So it is truly remarkable what you’ve accomplished and how you’ve led us.”

Board Vice President Patrick Duffy said he’s “sad” that Wilson is leaving.

“I developed a nice relationship with you, working and personal, and it saddens me that this is the end,” he said. “I wish you the best.”

Wilson briefly spoke as well.

“Thank you to everyone for taking the time to be here tonight,” he said. “Thank you for all the emails and phone calls. It’s been extremely humbling.”

Prior to resignation

Wilson’s resignation comes after an internal investigation into his conduct in the fall of 2023, according to a 2024 investigation from The Record.

That investigation also revealed tension among the ranks within the park district. At least nine manager-level staffers left the organization between May 2023 and May 2024. In addition, the district’s administrative team of nine turned over two-thirds of its team since 2020.

At least part of what prompted the internal review were allegations from the district’s former Superintendent of Human Resources Liz Cox that Wilson was in an inappropriate relationship with and gave preferential treatment to a subordinate and that Wilson retaliated against Cox for investigating the relationship. Following Cox’s death in December 2023, the claims became the subject of a lawsuit against Wilson and the park district, which was filed by Cox’s family and remains unresolved in Cook County Circuit Court.

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