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Departments
Village Manager’s Office
The Village Manager’s Office oversees the day-to-day operations of the Village in accordance with the managerial form of municipal government as established by article 5 of the Illinois Municipal Code, 65 ILCS 5/5-1-1 and assists the Board of Trustees in the development and formulation of policies, goals and objectives, and keeps them informed of important community issues. It provides administrative direction to the Village's departmental staff and is responsible for managing the activities and operations of the Village, ensuring the provision of quality services.
Major responsibilities of the Village Manager’s Office include: review and oversee departmental operations and related personnel functions; recommend Annual Budget pursuant to Chapter 2, Article III Sec. 2-118 of the Municipal Code; administer the adopted budget and capital improvement programs; act as liaison with citizens, businesses, community organizations, and other government agencies; coordinate intergovernmental relations including assisting with public agendas; monitor state and federal legislation; prepare Board of Trustee meeting agendas; coordinate compliance with national and state laws; conduct and coordinate policy research; respond to requests for information and assist citizens with requests for service; and communicate with citizens, employees, and the media.
Location and Hours
1st Floor, Village Hall, 1225 Cedar Lane
Weekdays, 8:30am-4:30pm
(847)-664-4010
Cara Pavlicek
Village Manager
With over 35 years in municipal government, Manager Pavlicek has been leading the Village of Northbrook since 2021. Reporting directly to the Village President and Board of Trustees, she oversees the day-to-day operations and a team of eight director level direct reports. Under her leadership, Northbrook’s 278 full-time equivalent employees manage an annual budget of $131 million, delivering a full range of services to the community. Specializing in municipal finance, economic development, and labor relations, Manager Pavlicek’s experience spans urban and suburban communities across Illinois, Nebraska, and Iowa. A Credentialed Manager with ICMA since 2003, she holds certifications in FEMA’s Incident Command and a McCormick Executive Fellowship in early childhood leadership. Pavlicek earned her M.A. in Public Affairs from the University of Iowa and B.A. in Economics from the University of Washington.
Jim Hawkins
Deputy Village Manager
Jim Hawkins is the Deputy Village Manager for the Village of Northbrook where he is responsible for overseeing the staff in the Village Manager’s Office and coordinating various Village projects. Jim is passionate about the long-term success of Northbrook. With over three decades of government experience at the federal, county, and municipal level, Jim collaborates with department leadership and Village stakeholders to foster innovative and sustainable projects to enhance the community's character and well-being. Jim holds a Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Notre Dame and a Master’s degree in National Security and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College.
Sarah Bagley
Director Human Resources
Sarah Bagley is the Director of Human Resources for the Village of Northbrook. She oversees the Village’s human resources functions including wellness, safety, employee retention and recruitment, labor relations, compensation administration and Village-wide training initiatives. Sarah has 18 years of experience in public sector human resources departments and works to build collaborative relationships with leadership and staff. Sarah holds a Masters degree in Educational Psychology and looks forward to fostering a positive and supportive work environment for Village staff.
Development and Planning Services Department
The Department of Development & Planning Services (DPS) was established to ensure the proper construction of buildings in the Village, monitor the sanitary conditions in food service establishments, and promote the orderly development of the community in conformance with the Comprehensive Plan, Zoning Code and other established Village policies. The primary functional areas of the department include the following: (1) building plan review and permit issuance; (2) inspection of permitted construction activities and food establishments; (3) zoning and property maintenance code enforcement and general code administration; (4) review and processing of major land development and subdivision activities; (5) long-range land use, housing, and transportation planning activities in accordance with the Comprehensive Plan; (6) targeted economic development initiatives; and (7) implementation of the Village’s Climate Action Plan.
Location and Hours
2nd Floor, Village Hall, 1225 Cedar Lane
Weekdays, 8:30am-4:30pm
(847)-664-4050
Amy McEwan
DPS Director
Amy J. P. McEwan joined Northbrook with 30 years of service as a local government leader in Illinois and Michigan at the municipal, county, and regional level. She oversees the Department's work in building plan review, inspection of permitted construction activities, food inspection, zoning, processing of major land development, long-range planning, and more.
Michaela Kohlstedt
DPS Deputy Director
Michaela Kohlstedt is the Deputy Director for Development & Planning Services for the Village of Northbrook, where she manages both complex residential and commercial development projects to ensure they comply with the Village codes and align with the Village’s strategic planning. With over twenty years of experience in municipal development, Michaela collaborates routinely with landowners, developers, businesses, and residents to foster sustainable projects that can enhance the community’s welfare and character. Michaela holds a Master’s degree in Urban Planning from the University of Illinois-Chicago and is a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners. Michaela is passionate about sustainability as well as equitable planning which Northbrook continues to be a leader in with the adoption of an updated Affordable Housing Ordinance in 2020 and Climate Action Plan in 2021.
Finance Department
The Finance Department administers the fiscal operations of the Village. The Department’s responsibilities include: purchasing, accounts payable, accounts receivable, treasury management, payroll administration, utility billing, vehicle/pet license administration, financial reporting, assisting police and fire pension fund boards, accounting and maintaining all financial records of the Village, representing the Village with the Northbrook Rural Fire Protection District, preparation of the Annual Budget and Capital Improvement Plan, office supply services, and internal auditing of Village financial internal control procedures.
Location and Hours
1st Floor, Village Hall, 1225 Cedar Lane
Weekdays, 8:30am-4:30pm
(847)-272-5050
Steve Drazner
Chief Financial Officer/Treasurer Treasurer
Steve Drazner has worked Northbrook's Chief Financial Officer since 2023. Mr. Drazner is a CPA and started his career in municipal finance in 2001, holding positions ranging from Chief Accountant to Chief Financial Officer. In addition, he has a wide range of accounting and finance experience employed in the private sector from earlier in his career. As CFO, Drazner oversees and manages Village finances and accounting such as audit, budget, purchasing, payroll, collections, investments, and pensions as well as in other areas such as strategic planning, tax increment financing districts, and debt issuances. He holds a Bachelor of Science from Northern Illinois University, DeKalb and Registered in Illinois as a Certified Public Accountant. Notable Professional affiliations include the Governmental Finance Officers Association (GFOA) and the Illinois Government Finance Officers Association (IGFOA).
Anita Bozic
Deputy Chief Financial Officer
Anita Bozic is the Deputy Chief Financial Officer for the Village of Northbrook. As a key member of the Village’s finance team, she provides departmental leadership and assist the CFO with administering the fiscal operations of the Village, including overseeing daily finance operations, preparation of the Village’s annual budget and Capital Improvement Plan, and monthly and annual financial reporting. She also provides staff support, as a liaison, to the Village’s Senior Services Commission. Anita has been with the Village for almost 4 years, and has over 20 years of progressively responsible finance, accounting and audit experience. Anita holds a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) designation in the State of Illinois and a Bachelor Degree in Accounting from Boise State University.
Fire Department
The Fire Department is an all-hazards department established to prevent and extinguish accidental or destructive fires, to render emergency medical assistance to victims of illness or injury, and to mitigate the results of, and render aid in case of accident or disaster. The Fire Department is also responsible for enforcing all laws and ordinances covering fire protection and regulation, including: storage and use of explosive, flammable, and hazardous materials; maintenance and regulation of fire escapes; and the installation and maintenance of automatic and other private fire alarm systems, and fire extinguishing equipment.
Locations and Hours
Fire Station 10, 650 Huehl Road
Fire Station 11 (Administration), 740 Dundee Road
Fire Station 12, 1840 Shermer Road
Administration Hours: Weekdays, 8am-4pm
Non-emergency: (847)-272-2141
David Schweihs
Fire Chief
Chief David Schweihs brings over 26 years of fire service experience. He began his career in 1997 with the Libertyville Fire Department and joined Northbrook in 2001, advancing through the ranks to become Fire Chief in October 2023. He oversees the department’s four divisions—operations, administration, training & safety, and fire prevention—and serves as the village’s emergency management coordinator. The Northbrook Fire Department, with 85 personnel across three stations, responds to roughly 8,000 calls annually and holds an ISO Class 1 rating. Chief Schweihs has also held leadership roles with MABAS-IL, including Deputy Section Chief and Urban Search and Rescue Task Force member, and currently serves on several executive boards. He holds a B.S. in Fire Science Management, an MPA, and is a designated Chief Fire Officer. He is also a U.S. Navy veteran.
Joel Eaton
Deputy Chief of Operations
Deputy Chief Joel Eaton began his fire service career in 1998 as a volunteer firefighter/paramedic and joined the Village of Northbrook in 2001. Rising through the ranks from firefighter/paramedic to Deputy Chief in 2022, he now oversees the administration division, handling budgeting, hiring, promotions, and labor relations. A second-generation firefighter with a strong dedication to teaching, Deputy Chief Eaton has instructed numerous fire and EMS courses. He holds an A.A.S. in Fire Science Technology, EMT Lead Instructor certification, and is completing his Chief Fire Officer certification. His training includes advanced command courses from the University of Illinois and the National Fire Academy.
Matt Vanderweel
Deputy Chief of Administration
Matthew Vanderweel is a Deputy Chief with the Northbrook Fire Department. He began his career as a Paid-On-Call Firefighter with the Northbrook Fire Department in 2001 and was hired as a career firefighter in 2007. He held the ranks of firefighter/paramedic, lieutenant, battalion chief of training and safety and was promoted to deputy chief of operations in November 2023. Deputy Chief Vanderweel is responsible for the operations division of the fire department. His responsibilities include shift staffing, fire resource deployment, special events planning and labor relations. Matt holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Safety Management from Southern Illinois University and is in the process of obtaining his Chief Fire Officer certification through the Illinois Fire Service Institute.
Information Technology Department
The Information Technology Department implements and maintains core technologies, applications, and services in the most efficient and fiscally responsible manner to support and enhance all Village operations. Additionally, the Information Services Department partners with other Village departments to plan for innovative uses of technology solutions, ensure data is centrally managed and secured, to consolidate business functions onto standardized and centralized applications, to provide effective internal and external communication tools, and to enhance and secure network and mobile connectivity and communications. Lastly, the Information Services Department strives to make the Village of Northbrook a leader in resident and business responsiveness and delivery of services through effective data-driven decision-making processes.
Location and Hours
2nd Floor, Village Hall, 1225 Cedar Lane
Weekdays, 8:30am-4:30pm
(847)-272-5050
Lori Baker
Chief Information Officer
Lori Baker has served as Chief Information Officer (CIO) for the Village of Northbrook since 2014, overseeing technology for all departments, including networks, applications, and cloud services. With over 35 years in technology, Lori leads a team that supports innovations and day-to-day tech needs, enabling Village staff to meet their goals effectively. She also collaborates with local organizations on shared tech initiatives. Lori holds an M.S. in Communications Systems Strategy & Management from Northwestern University and a B.A. in Mathematics from Northern Illinois University. Before Northbrook, she held tech and leadership roles across various industries.
Police Department
The Police Department is established with a mission of protect and serve the public. There are three basic activities within the Department: law enforcement, the maintenance of order, and the performance of general government services. Police Department activities involve the repression of crime; apprehension of offenders; recovery and preservation of property; prevention of crime; regulation of non-criminal conduct; and the performance of miscellaneous services.
Location and Hours
Police Station, 1401 Landwehr Road
Administration Hours: Weekdays, 8am-4pm
Non-emergency: (847)-564-2060
John Ustich
Chief of Police
Chief Ustich has been with the Northbrook Police Department since 1996. A Cook County Police Academy graduate, he initially served in patrol, earning numerous awards for DUI enforcement, before becoming Northbrook’s first Traffic Officer in 2005. He transitioned to Detective in 2007, rose to Sergeant in 2010, and was promoted to Patrol Commander in 2019. In May 2023, he became Deputy Chief. Throughout his career, Interim Chief Ustich has led initiatives as the Use of Force and Defensive Tactics Coordinator and served on the Police Pension Board. A U.S. Navy submarine veteran, he holds a Criminal Justice degree and multiple Northwestern University public safety certifications. He lives with his wife and their six daughters.
Marc Fainman
Deputy Chief of Technical Services
Marc Fainman currently serves as the Deputy Chief of Field Operations for the Northbrook Police Department, overseeing patrol, emergency response, and public safety initiatives. With nearly two decades of experience across all major areas of law enforcement, including patrol, investigations, training, and administration, Deputy Chief Fainman ensures the coordination of the department’s daily functions. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Sociology from the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign and a master’s degree in the Psychology of Organizational Leadership from the Chicago School of Professional Psychology. Deputy Chief Fainman has a blend of operational expertise and leadership experience that enable him to lead effectively while promoting teamwork, initiative, accountability, and professional growth within the department. Deputy Chief Fainman is a graduate of the Northwestern University Center for Public Safety, Supervision of Police Personnel, and the Executive Management Programs. He is a graduate of the FBI LEEDA trilogy program and graduated from the FBI’s National Academy in Quantico, Virginia, in 2025.
Public Works Department
The Public Works Department designs, constructs, manages, maintains, operates and repairs the Village's infrastructure, facilities and related assets, which include public streets and sidewalks, street lighting, signage, traffic controls, water production and distribution facilities, sanitary sewer collection/conveyance, storm water collection/conveyance, parkways including planting and trimming of trees, municipal buildings and grounds, commuter parking lots, the municipal fleet, snow and ice control, and emergency/disaster preparedness and response. The Village Engineer ensures that the design, construction and maintenance of public and private developments are in conformance within Village Standards.
Location and Hours
Public Works Center, 655 Huehl Road
Administration Hours: Weekdays, 7am-3pm
Non-emergency: (847)-272-4711
Kelly Hamill
Public Works Director
Kelly Hamill is the Director of Public Works for the Village of Northbrook. He has been with the Village for over twenty five year and has held positions in Engineering and the Village Manager’s office prior to becoming the Assistant Director of Public Works and then being promoted to Director. He has held this position for fourteen years. Kelly holds a Master’s degree in Public Administration from Northern Illinois University and an undergraduate degree in Geography from Illinois State University. As Director of Public Works, oversee the overall operation and direction of the department. This is accomplished through the Administration, Engineering, General Operation and Utilities Divisions of the department. These divisions provided many essential services to the residents and business in the community such as clean drinking water, vital infrastructure such streets and sidewalks, stormwater management, a healthy urban forest, fleet services for all village vehicles, management of all Village facilities, Engineering oversight and inspection for all private development, snow removal and many other high quality services. Public Works and Kelly take pride in providing a plethora of services which provide for a high quality of life for those living and working in Northbrook.
Matt Morrison
Deputy Public Works Director
Matt Morrison joined the Village of Northbrook in 2010 as the Assistant to the Public Works Director, with 18 years in municipal government positions. As Deputy Public Works Director, Matt oversees daily operations and manages key projects across the department. In this role, he guides division leads, addresses resident inquiries, prepares legislative items for Village Manager review, and manages procurement. Notable projects include streetscape improvements for Shermer and Meadow Roads and the Automated Water Meter Project. Specializing in public infrastructure, capital planning, and budgeting. Matt holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics, Public Administration, and Political Science from the University of Wisconsin–La Crosse, along with a Master’s degree in Public Administration from Northern Illinois University.