Township News

Brimming with happiness and charting a path to the future Thornton Township Supervisor Frank M. Zuccarelli was sworn in this week to his eighth term in that position.

“When you run for office don’t be overly excited and just say you are the man or the woman. The people will let you know that as government officials we serve the people,” said Zuccarelli, who has served since 1993.I am so thankful for all the people who have helped me in my career.

Thornton Township held its swearing-in ceremony Monday night at the main headquarters in South Holland, 333 E. 162nd Street.

He has been awarded township Supervisor of the Year in 1996, 2007 and 2012; and the township has been awarded Township of the Year three times by the Township Officials of Illinois Educational Conference. As a long standing elected official, Zuccarelli is the recipient of numerous awards and honors during his years serving as a public servant; to name a few: Township Officials of Illinois Township of the Year, multiple Supervisor of the Year awards; The Chicago Food Depository awards for War on Hunger and Quality Service, Community Leader; Civic Responsibility Award; Diversity Inc. Award; the Distinguished Service Award from the Illinois Committee for Honest Government and countless other awards and honors.

“Always understand you have to be respectful of the people who elected you and the people who are on your board,” said Zucarelli. “I think about everyone in the community. I love Thornton Township and I am not going anywhere yet. We have a few more things we want to do.”

There were many people who had kind words for Zuccaelli, including the man who introduced him.
“You have to want to work with people and have it in your heart,” said Donald Manning, former president of South Suburban College. “If you tell someone you are going to do something for them you have to follow through and do it.”

Joyce M. Washington is the longest serving trustee board member, elected in 1997. Trustee Gerald “Jerry” Jones has served since 2013.

Thornton Township Assessor Cassandra W. Elston and Township Highway Commissioner Geary “Pepe” DePue were also re-elected. Two new trustees and a new clerk have come aboard since the last election. Loretta C. Wells will serve as township clerk replacing Jacki Rivera, who served since 2005. Darlene Gray Everett and Christopher D. Gonzalez are the two new trustees replacing Norbert Cipowski and Stafford Owens.

In Celebration of Earth Day, Thornton Township conducted a paper and electronic recycling drive. Thank you to all of our volunteers and community for making this an event worth having. Any participation is good participation, but this time, it went above and beyond expectation! We will have another one soon.

During property tax season, one woman traverses through close to a dozen  communities educating them on how to petition and challenge their assessments. For her tireless work to help the community as they sift through their frustrating property tax bills, Thornton Township Assessor Cassandra W. Holbert-Elston has been awarded Township Officials of Illinois Elected Official of the Year. 

“Cassandra has always put serving the community as her most important priority. People contact her at all hours of the night and she serves with pleasure and I am happy that people are finally recognizing what we already know. She is incredible,” said Frank M. Zuccarelli, Thornton Township supervisor. 

Elston, who has served as township assessor since 2013, represents our 17 distinct municipalities with a population of more than 168,000. The role requires a combination of intelligent, diligent work, years of experience and a heart as a community advocate. One of her key initiatives is hosting live, and this year virtual, property tax assessment workshops. She gives a presentation, answers residents’ questions and her team looks through resident tax assessment bills. She works with elected officials, clergy and homeowner associations.

Her office and staff have been available virtually to the public throughout the pandemic. She has hosted over 15 seminars yearly, even during the Covid-19 pandemic. The seminars are not just limited to property tax, exemptions and the appeal process. Information is also shared on property after death, property fraud and first-time home buyer programs. Even property redemption, for those who have lost homes, is among the topics discussed. More than 500 individual households have been helped by the assessor’s staff since mid-July.  

 Elston’s purpose in this effort has been to assist, educate and help taxpayers, new homeowners and especially senior citizens who have benefitted the most from her timely and compassionate guidance and assistance. 

“I’m completely stunned by receiving this award. When you look to serve the community, especially if you are doing it for the right reasons, you certainly don’t do it for attention or awards,” said Elston. “But I am honored by the award and I will continue serving the community in any way it needs.”

Elston received recognition for youth mentoring from the late Alderman Bennett M. Stewart of the 21st Ward in Chicago.  She was awarded the key to the City of Chicago for outstanding leadership and community involvement under the late Mayor Harold Washington.  She was recognized for outstanding achievement in organizing block clubs and community organizations in the 6th Ward under the late Mayor Eugene Sawyer. She was also honored as “Woman of the Year” by the Society of Mannequins in 2017.

“I just feel so blessed to be able to help individuals and whole communities in need,” said Elston.