The City of Elmhurst recently released City Manager Jim Grabowski’s letter announcing his retirement date. Grabowski’s retirement will be effective Aug. 2.
In February, the City of Elmhurst announced that Grabowski would retire this summer. Grabowski has been Elmhurst’s City Manager for 15 years. He began his tenure in July 2011, when he succeeded Thomas Borchert, who retired in June 2011 after serving as the City Manager for 27 years.
Before he became Elmhurst’s City Manager, Grabowski served as the Village Administrator of Minooka, Illinois.
“Jim has served Elmhurst with integrity, professionalism, and a steady commitment to the best interests of our community,” said Elmhurst Mayor Scott Levin. “We are deeply grateful for his leadership and the many contributions he has made during his more than 15 years as City Manager. As we celebrate Jim’s service and wish him well in retirement, the City Council has begun the recruitment process for Elmhurst’s next City Manager. We are committed to conducting a thoughtful and thorough search that ensures a smooth transition and continued strong leadership for the City.”
Here is Grabowski’s June 2 letter to Levin and the Elmhurst City Council:
Dear Mayor Levin and Members of the City Council,
It is remarkable how quickly 15 years in Elmhurst have passed. After more than 30 years in the municipal profession, please accept this letter as my formal resignation and notice of retirement, effective August 2, 2026.
During our conversation in January 2026, I shared my intention to retire in May 2026. However, after discussing the timeline for recruiting the next City Manager, I voluntarily agreed to extend my retirement date to help ensure a smooth transition. This letter also satisfies the 60-day notice requirement outlined in my employment agreement.
Serving the residents of Elmhurst has been both a privilege and the greatest honor of my professional career. When beginning my Master’s degree in Public Administration, I first gained an appreciation for the role of a City Manager. It was then that I knew this was the career I wanted to pursue. In my view, few professions have the opportunity to positively impact people’s daily lives as much as municipal government. Every day dedicated public servants provide safe drinking water, reliable sewer service, exceptional police and fire protection, well-maintained infrastructure, thoughtful community development, and countless other services that enhance the quality of life for residents.
The City of Elmhurst is truly “Unlike Anything.” That is far more than a marketing slogan—it is a reality I have experienced every day. Elmhurst was always a community I aspired to serve. Few people in our profession have the opportunity to achieve the specific career goal they set for themselves. I was fortunate enough to aspire to become the Elmhurst City Manager and have been blessed to serve in that role for the past 15 years.
One of Elmhurst’s greatest strengths—and one that will continue to attract outstanding candidates—is its unwavering commitment to the City Manager form of government. Our community has enjoyed 73 years of stable, professional leadership under this system. Nationally, the average tenure of a city manager is approximately seven years. In Elmhurst, the average tenure is 24 years. That remarkable difference speaks volumes about the confidence the City Council and the residents place in professional, nonpartisan local government.
As I conclude this chapter, it is with immense gratitude. Thank you for the trust you placed in me, for the opportunity to serve this extraordinary community, and for the support you have shown throughout my tenure.
I wish Mayor Levin, the City Council, City staff, and the residents of Elmhurst continued success as you begin the next chapter in the City’s history. I have every confidence that Elmhurst’s best days remain ahead.
With deep gratitude,
Jim Grabowski
City Manager
