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New Lake Forest deputy city clerk learning city ropes
As deputy city clerk, Margaret Boyer is the "keeper of the record" for the city of Lake Forest. | Michelle LaVigne~Sun-Times Media
Updated: March 13, 2013 11:58AM
LAKE FOREST — Margaret Boyer spends most of her waking hours in Lake Forest City Hall.
Hired in July 2012 as an administrative assistant, Boyer worked as the face of the city — the person people see when they go to the front desk at City Hall — for six months.
Promoted to deputy city clerk in mid February, the McHenry County resident has grown to love the place where she spends her workday.
Q. What did you do before coming to Lake Forest?
A. I was deputy clerk for the Village of McCullom Lake, which is just outside of McHenry. In McCullom Lake, we had a mayor and trustees. Here, it’s a council-manager form of government. We have a full-time professional city manager, Bob Kiely, who runs things with the City Council’s approval. There are a little under 20,000 residents in Lake Forest. In McCullom Lake, there are about 1,100. I knew everybody who was coming to village hall in my old job.
Q. How did you familiarize yourself with Lake Forest?
A. When I first started, I didn’t know anything about the community. Every day I would go into a different store and look around, so now I can actually say I’ve been in all the businesses here downtown. I’ve eaten at most of the restaurants, too. I also walk 30 minutes a day at lunch through different neighborhoods.
Q. How have you gotten to know residents?
A. What really helped me get to know some of the residents is early voting. This building was an early voting site. In two weeks, we had 5,000 people who came through here to vote. We saw a minimum of 200 people a day. I was in awe at the turnout. We had two volunteers from Dickinson Hall who sat here in the foyer during directing people upstairs to vote. I’ve been to their art gallery openings and other events, where I’ve met more people.
Q. What duties does the deputy city clerk perform?
A. The official city clerk and city manager is Bob Kiely. He’s the core of the city. I’m his deputy. As deputy clerk, I am the keeper of the record. I attend all the meetings of the City Council and record all the minutes. I administer the oath of office to public officials. I’m also the keeper of the seal of the city. You’ll see the city seal on documents, licenses, contracts, ordinances, resolutions and proclamations. I’m the Freedom of Information Officer for the city. I also publish, certify and file the annual appropriation and tax levy ordinances and tax-exempt reports with Lake County. The deputy clerk is also the local registrar for all vital records, including burial permits.
Q. What strikes you most about Lake Forest?
A. There are two things. First would be the attention to detail when it comes to historic preservation. That is probably my most favorite thing about this community because I’m a huge history buff. There are a lot of boards and commissions involved, but historic preservation is what keeps this community so beautiful. Second is the beach. The beach is probably the best-kept secret, in my opinion.
