Mayoral Matters

I served as Mayor of Mount Prospect from 2005 to 2013.

Web pages helped communicate Village issues during campaigns. I was first elected in 1991 as a Village Trustee. This page has various photos from before and after serving as elected to the Village of Mount Prospect for on-line visitors.

This shows some favorites from my time as Mayor and the years since. The page featured photo of a sunset at the concerts at the Village Memorial Bandshell. (Photo by Mike Zarnek)

Mayor Wilks and daughter Jolin at July 4th parade –

No tax-payer funds were used to pay for hosting or editing these pages. Photos were paid for from either personal funds or from campaign funds as reported to the Illinois Department of Elections.

Web host is: Tom Nelson of Byte Me Computers. Photos were taken by local photographers and friends.

Photo taken by David Schein at flood site.

At my retirement party in 2013 Village staff, other elected officials, residents and family roasted me in a good natured saying goodbye. I served 21 years as elected official of Mount Prospect.

Mayor Wilks salutes the Village of Mount Prospect at her retirement party

Village Manager Mike Janonis presents Irvana Wilks with gavel plaque and huge gavel

Joining Mayor Wilks was her Daughter Rev Jolin McElroy, son-in-law Tom McElroy, grandson Tommy and sister Jennefer Cochran

Mayor Wilks’s sister Jennefer Cochran came from California to present her with flowers

Alan Wilks (who nicknamed himself ‘Him’) jokes about Mayor Wilks

Many thanks to Doreen Jarosz, administrative assistant, who planned and executed party and all things Mount Prospect.

Mayor Wilks with friend, Donna Johnson, who was elected many years to School Board of School District 26.

Daughter Jolin Wilks McElroy, pastor of First Christian Charlotte, NC, gave speech

Cake from Central Continental Bakery shows Mount Prospect landmarks

Many gifts were given to Mayor Wilks, but a standing Ovation took her breath away

Rep. David Harris and Rep. Elaine Nekritz present Illinois House Wilks Proclamation

Senator Matt Murphy presented Mayor Wilks with Illinois Senate Proclamation

Mayor Wilks celebrates with Paul Seils from Busse Flowers who provided all of the flower arrangements for this and all Village parties

Family – Norm and Mary Frances Wilks attend from Eldorado, Kansas

Brother-In-law Larry Wilks attends from Omaha, Nebraska

Family, Mark and Linda Russell attend from Kansas.

Church friends Warren and Maryanne Toedman attend

Fellow writing friend Toni Diol, who calls herself the “purple poet” attended from Arlington Heights

Church friends Collen and Michael Schumm attend

Much food was donated for the retirement party

Mayor Wilks still attends events for the Village of Mount Prospect, including Swearing in of new Village trustees and Village parties, like Celebrations –

Janice and Skip Farley and I attended the Swearing in of the 1919 Village Board

in 2017 the Village celebrated it’s 100th Year of incorporation. Alan and I attended the dinner. We greeted multiple friends from our neighborhood, the YMCA and all of those attending.