The City Council is the legislative and policy making body of The City of Lake Forest. It includes the Mayor and eight Alderman, two from each of the City's four wards. The Council meets first Monday and the third Monday of the month at 7:30 p.m. at City Hall, 220 E. Deerpath. Regular City Council meetings are broadcast LIVE and rebroadcast Sunday at 1:00 p.m., Thursday at 1:00 p.m., Thursday evening after the Finance Committee, and Friday at 8:00 a.m. on City 17. A DVD copy of the meeting is available in the Reference Section at Lake Forest Library. City Council meeting video archives can be viewed on-line for one year after the meeting.
Kent E. Novit was elected First Ward Alderman and took office on May 5, 2008. He previously was a member of the Zoning Board of Appeals from May 2003 to May 2008 where he served as Chairman from May 2006 to May 2008. He is a member of the City Council’s Finance and Public Works Committees and acts as Council liaison on issues concerning senior services and community relations. Mr. Novit has a B.A. from Northwestern University and a J.D. from John Marshall Law School. He is a partner with Chicago law firm of Novit and Novit. He believes that individuals who care about their community should become involved and contribute their time and skills for the good of the community. A resident for over 15 years, Kent enjoys the Lake Forest community with his wife Nancy and their two daughters.
Catherine A. Waldeck is a lifelong resident of Lake Forest. She and her husband Joe have four children between them, with the youngest currently a student at Lake Forest High School. Catherine is a graduate of Cornell University and received her Law Degree from Loyola University School of Law. Previously, Catherine was employed as a felony prosecutor for 20 years in the Cook and Lake County State’s Attorney offices. Catherine served as a member of the Plan Commission for 2 years. She also currently serves on the Board of Directors of “A Safe Place”, as member of the Northwestern Lake Forest Hospital Women’s Auxiliary Board, and on the Lake Forest Dance Academy’s Parent Board. She currently serves as Council liaison for legal services. Catherine holds a deep affection for Lake Forest and wishes to continue her family’s tradition of dedication and public service to the community.
George A. Pandaleon and his wife Peggy have lived in Lake Forest since 1990 and raised 3 children here. With a Bachelor of Arts degree from Kenyon College and a Masters of Business Administration from Northwestern University, George is the President of a commercial real estate investment firm serving institutional investors throughout the U.S. George has a long record of volunteerism in Lake Forest, serving on a number of City Boards and Commissions, including terms as Chairman of the Plan Commission and Chairman of the Zoning Board of Appeals, and worked for 6 months to re-energize Gorton Community Center as its Interim Chairman of the Board. He serves as Chairman of the Finance Committee, and is a member of the Audit Committee. George believes “Lake Forest is an extraordinary community, offering a rich heritage and superb quality of life. It has always been exceptionally well-managed, and I hope to contribute to that rich tradition through service on the City Council.”
David Moore grew up in Northern Michigan and attended Ripon College in Ripon, Wisconsin (Class of 1983). David and Diana were married in Lake Forest in 1991, moved to Lake Bluff in 1993, and then to Lake Forest in 1997. Diana is a life-long resident of Lake Forest. They have two boys and two girls. David is the President and CEO of Woodland Foods, a food import business he started in 1989. He is on the Lake Forest Open Lands Board of Governors, as well as many other boards and charitable organizations. Prior to taking office as Second Ward Alderman in May 2010, he served on the Historic Preservation Commission for two and one half terms. David serves as the Council's liaison for youth services and the Housing Trust.
Stanford Tack took office May 2012 as Third Ward Alderman. "Randy" is currently an Orthopedic Surgeon and Managing Partner of the Illinois Bone and Joint Institute. He has been a resident of Lake Forest for the past 20 years and raised his children here. He has a BS in Biology from the University of Illinois and graduated with Honors from the University of Illinois Medical School. "I have reached a point in my career where I have the time and management experience to give something back to the community that has given so much to me and my family." He serves as the Council's liaison for parks and recreation. Randy grew up in Glen Ellyn, Illinois, where his father served as a Village Trustee and Randy saw how much the experience meant to his father. "I saw how much my father's service benefited the community and I would like the same opportunity."
Jack Reisenberg took office May 2013 as Third Ward Alderman. Jack and his wife, Kathie, have been residents of Lake Forest since 1995. He served on the Plan Commission beginning in 2007, and most recently, as Chairman. Following a 24-year career with Kraft in senior human resources and general management roles, and 7-year tenure with Specialty Foods Corporation as its Senior Vice President of Human Resources, Jack founded Reisenberg & Associates, a boutique executive search firm where he presently serves as its President. He holds a BS in Economics from Gannon University and an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. Jack's broad civic and business background, in addition to his extensive global experience in human resources, talent acquisition and labor relations are an asset to The City of Lake Forest, and he is "looking forward to this opportunity to continue to serve the City as Acting Third Ward Alderman."
Michael R. Adelman and his wife Nancy, who is a native Lake Forester, have lived in Lake Forest since 1986. They have two sons, Charlie, who lives in New York and is employed by Warner Brother Records, and Ross, who is a student at DPM. Mike received both his Bachelor of Science and Masters in Business Administration degrees from Cornell University and The Cornell Graduate School of Business, and his JD from Chicago-Kent College of Law. He has prior experience working with City staff in connection with his own development activities and legal practice. He served on the Caucus for 3 years, and for the past 5 years, has served in dual roles simultaneously on the Plan Commission and Zoning Board of Appeals. Mike is concerned with preserving Lake Forest’s financial well-being, and believes his problem-solving skills will help the City in his role as Alderman. He serves as the Council's liaison to business and commerce, and the Golf Advisory Committee.
Robert T. Palmer was appointed Fourth Ward Alderman on May 5, 2008. Prior to joining the City Council, he served as Chairman of the Lake Forest Cemetery Commission from 2000-2004 and as Chairman of the Lake Forest Legal Committee from its inception in 2006 to the date he joined the City Council. Mr. Palmer currently serves on the Council’s Finance Committee and acts as the City Council liaison on public safety. Bob is Chairman of Central Federal Savings and Loan Association of Chicago. Prior to his current job, he was a lawyer specializing in commercial litigation. He received his undergraduate degree in economics from Colgate University and his law degree from the University of Notre Dame, following which he served as Law Clerk to Justice Walter V. Schaefer of the Illinois Supreme Court. Mr. Palmer and his wife, Ann Therese, have lived in Lake Forest since 1989. They have two adult sons, both of whom currently serve in the United States Marine Corps. For over twenty years, Mr. Palmer was active in the Northeast Illinois Council of the Boy Scouts of America, where his diverse volunteer service included four years as Scoutmaster of Troop 46 at the First Presbyterian Church of Lake Forest and ten years as a member of the Council’s Executive Board. Among his current civic activities, Mr. Palmer serves as a Director and Assistant Secretary of the Chicago Crime Commission.