‘Rewarding career’ at an end for Lockport Township's Batusich

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Lockport Township Supervisor Judy Batusich retired Tuesday, May 31, 0211, after three decades of service to the public. | Matthew Grotto~Sun-Times Media

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Updated: July 8, 2011 1:40PM

LOCKPORT TOWNSHIP — Judy Batusich, the Lockport Township supervisor, ended a three-decade career in public service Tuesday, with an emotional day at Central Square.

Batusich, who has been supervisor since 1996, is retiring from office after a career notable for her service to senior citizens. Township Trustee Ron Alberico was sworn in as the new supervisor Tuesday afternoon.

“I just have to say that it’s been an honor and a privilege to serve as the supervisor,” Batusich said in an interview Tuesday. “I have enjoyed working with the public. It’s been a satisfying and rewarding career.”

Batusich became emotional when Alberico brought flowers to her office Tuesday morning. She said there would be many tears that afternoon, as she prepared to leave Lockport’s Central Square building after serving the township since 1980.

The township is home to Lockport, Crest Hill, Romeoville and around 15,000 residents in unincorporated areas.

Batusich, a Democrat, is a lifelong resident of Crest Hill. She began her career in local government in 1977, when she was elected as a Crest Hill alderwoman and became the first woman to serve the city in that capacity.

Batusich was Lockport Township trustee from 1980 until 1989 and township assessor from 1989 to 1996. She has been supervisor for the past 15 years.

During Batusich’s time as supervisor, Lockport Township began its senior transportation system and had a role in the Gale Gardens affordable senior housing development.

Both projects began operation around the year 2000.

Senior transportation

With Batusich as supervisor, Lockport Township’s senior transportation program began a decade ago with one 12-passenger bus.

Increased demand added a six-passenger bus in 2001.

In March 2006, Lockport Township held a referendum, seeking revenue to support senior programs. That proposal lost by only 13 votes.

The township held another referendum in November 2006, seeking to establish a new tax to support the bus service and funding for other senior services and activities.

Voters approved that referendum, and the bus service continues to this day — with two 14-passenger, handicapped-accessible buses.

The buses provide curb-to-curb service for seniors — door-to-door at their request — and transports seniors to medical facilities, grocery stores and banks.

Most clients use the bus for transportation to dialysis treatment, Batusich said. Some travel to adult day care.

Before the 2006 referendum, Lockport Township would give grants on a yearly basis to the Meals on Wheels program of Will County Senior Services. Since the referendum passed, the township has provided funding to such a degree that every local eligible senior is served. There is no waiting list for the program in Lockport Township, Batusich said.

Another example is recreational programming. Each year, Lockport Township hosts a complimentary breakfast buffet on two days in October. During those two days, 300 seniors attend, Batusich said.

Senior housing

The Gale Gardens affordable senior housing development was built in 2000.

A developer had approached Batusich, and the township helped to find a suitable property off Division Street, Batusich said. The land had to be annexed into the city of Lockport, and the city provided help, Batusich said.

Gale Gardens has 50 units, and began with 200 people on a waiting list. Through the years, that list is down to 90, Batusich said.

In the past few years, Lockport Township has been looking to acquire property in the western part of the township — in the Crest Hill area — for affordable senior housing there, Batusich said.

Downtown fire

After the fatal downtown Lockport fire of April 2008, Batusich and the township provided help to affected residents.

A five-alarm fire struck the residential hotel portion of the William P. Volz building, 933 S. State St., on an early spring morning three years ago. A Joliet woman was killed, and another person was injured.

Batusich arrived at the fire scene at 7 a.m. to coordinate efforts with the American Red Cross.

She opened up the third-floor boardroom at Central Square, to serve victims who did not have a place to go. The township put them up in an area motel and offered assistance with clothing and food to get them started on the path to recovery, Batusich said.

Looking back

Batusich’s other achievements include:

Establishing the Lockport Township Government College Scholarships for graduating high school seniors.

Helping bring free events to Central Square, such as Cruisin’ into Lockport and Christmas in the Square and, new this summer, Movies in the Square. Batusich worked with the city of Lockport and the Lockport Township Park District.

Service on the Central Square Committee, Fairmont Partnership Board, Caton Farm-Bruce Road Study Committee Board and several other local committees.

Judy and her husband, Jim, have been married for 50 years and have three grown children and six grandchildren.

“It is with mixed emotions that I begin my retirement. I look forward to spending more time with my family, volunteering and traveling. However, I will miss serving the people of this community. I am very blessed to have had a career serving others.”

“Most of all, I thank you, the residents, for the honor of serving you for over 31 years,” she said in the township newsletter. “Your trust in my ability to represent you is a gift I will forever treasure.”