Matt Walsh, River Forest’s village administrator for the past two-and-one-half years, was rewarded for his work last week when the village board extended his contract for almost four years and gave him a small bonus and raise.
Under the new pact, Walsh’s salary will increase from $185,000 to $192,500. He will also receive a $5,000 bonus and $7,500 in a deferred compensation plan.
Walsh expressed his appreciation for the new contract.
“I am humbled and grateful for the village board’s support,” he said. “I deeply enjoy serving the Village of River Forest and I look forward to continuing our positive momentum in the coming years.”
The four trustees present at the Aug. 25 village board meeting voted unanimously on the contract following a closed session. Trustees Erika Bachner and Katie Brennan did not attend.
“We believe he’s done a very good job,” Village President Cathy Adduci said. “He got a lot done.
“I think he’s an exceptional administrator. He respects the process.”
The new contract runs until May 2029, which coincides with the end of Adduci’s fourth term as village president. His previous contract ran from May 2023 to May of this year, which coincided with the end of Adduci’s third term.
Walsh was named village administrator in April 2023 after serving four months as interim village administrator. He had been promoted from assistant village administrator when his predecessor, Brian Murphy, resigned after just over a year in the top job.
Adduci said Walsh’s strengths include being a good listener and a good communicator.
“When there’s a problem he responds but he’s not quick to judge,” she said. “He tries to get everybody’s input.”
Walsh also will continue to serve as zoning administrator and budget officer.
“He’s getting better every day,” Adduci said. “He’s becoming more mature with experience.”
Prior to his hiring in River Forest, he served south suburban Homer Glen for over three years, including a year as interim village manager.
A native of Forest Park, Walsh also served as an elected park board commissioner for 8 years in that neighboring village. He was elected to the park board in 2013 when he was 20.
Walsh graduated from the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 2015. He earned his Master of Public Administration degree from UIC in 2017.
Under terms of his contract, he will receive vacation days at the greater of 22 days per year or the rate as set forth in the village of River Forest Personnel Policy Manual, an increase of four days. He also will receive sick days and holidays per the personnel policy manual. All village employees gained an additional paid holiday when officials declared Juneteenth a paid holiday this year.
In lieu of a village-provided vehicle and mileage reimbursement, he will continue to receive a vehicle allowance of $400 per month, the same as his previous contract.
In addition, he will be entitled to health insurance, medical insurance, life insurance, accidental death insurance, long-term disability insurance and short-term disability insurance coverages on the same plan with the same options and on the same terms and conditions as set forth for full-time employees in the personnel policy manual.