Getting to Know...Jeanette Mihalec

     This is the second in a series of e-newsletter profiles featuring members of the Kane County Board.)

       Although relatively new to the Kane County Board - she took office in December, 2008 - Jeanette Mihalec has wasted little time in making her mark on county governance, including  having directed the special task force that guided the recently-unveiled redesign of the county's web site. She is chairman of the Public Health Committee and a member of the Executive and Development Committees as well as the county's Technology Task Force and  Public Health Advisory Committee.  Her term runs through November, 2012.

    Jeanette has been a resident of Elgin since 1993. As Vice President, Membership for the Elgin Area Chamber of Commerce since 1999, she is responsible for all aspects of the Chamber's membership programs including new member recruitment and member retention, coordinating membership drives, hosting new member receptions and coordinating promotional events like ribbon cuttings and grand openings. She said she worked for 13 years in the investment industry "before deciding to work in the community all day, every day."

    "I enjoy my involvement in the community," she said.  "I love living in Elgin and enjoy all that it has to offer."

    A former Elgin Community College trustee, her involvement with the city and its residents runs deep, with membership in organizations that include the Kiwanis Club, South Elgin Lions Club, New Citizen Recognition Committee, Alliance for the Mentally Ill of Kane County and the Elgin Hispanic Network as well as leadership roles, including Secretary of the Board of Summit, Inc. (Summit Academy, Summit School,  and  Summit Center - focusing on accelerated education and education for learning disabled and autistic children) and Chairman for the Hispanic Heritage Month Parade (2005  - 2008).

    A mother of two children, she was born in Michigan but grew up primarily in far southern Illinois. She has degrees from Southeastern Illinois College and Northwestern University. Of her County Board experience she says: " I enjoy working with the other board members and learning the perspectives of those from other areas of the County.

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