Hillard resumes responsibilities as Village manager

By Robert Mihalek

Rob Hillard returned last week to his position as Village manager after being on medical leave since Feb. 28.

Hillard’s first day back to full-time work was Thursday, May 19. He said it “feels good” to return to work.

“It’s a reflective time,” he said during an interview Tuesday, adding that since last week he has been “reflecting on experiences that I have had, contributions to the Village, what we’ve been able to accomplish and what we haven’t been able to accomplish.”

Phil Hawkey, who had been serving as the acting manager during Hillard’s absence, has returned to his regular duties as the Village planner. In addition, Ed Amrhein, the assistant Village planner, increased his part-time hours while Hillard was on leave. Hillard said that Hawkey and Amrhein did a “wonderful job” running the Village government.

Hillard, who joined the Village as manager in 2000, had been on medical leave while he was treated for exhaustion. He declined to discuss his health concerns or his treatment, though he did say that he “feels good, feels strong, ready to do the job.”

He actually returned to work on a part-time basis at the beginning of April, though he was not attending meetings, Hillard said. His responsibilities during this period included working on projects and handling budgetary issues, he said, while Hawkey still was officially managing the Village government.

Hillard, who is 40, attended a special meeting of the Village Council on Monday night, his first in about three months. “It was nice to dialogue with Council about issues,” he said. He said he’s now easing back into the full-time role of Village manager.

He expressed appreciation to “the community, to the Village Council and to the staff for their support during this time for me and my family. It meant a lot for me both personally and professionally.”