Viviana Ramirez Appointed as West Chicago City Administrator

The Mayor and City Council have approved the employment agreement appointing Viviana Ramirez as the next City Administrator for the City of West Chicago, marking an important milestone in the City's leadership transition and continued organizational progress.

Ramirez brings a combination of municipal leadership experience, legal expertise, and a strong track record of community-centered service that aligns with West Chicago's focus on strengthening partnerships, enhancing service delivery, and supporting thoughtful community growth.

Most recently, Ramirez served in executive leadership roles with the City of Aurora, where she led and supported citywide initiatives focused on resident engagement, service accessibility, innovation, and cross-department collaboration. Her work included overseeing complex community-facing programs and advancing coordinated service delivery across the Community Services Department, strengthening connections between residents and local government while supporting programs that serve youth, seniors, and families. This experience closely reflects priorities currently underway in West Chicago, including expanding community engagement, improving customer service, and supporting coordinated service delivery across departments.

Ramirez has held senior leadership roles within the Kane County State's Attorney's Office, where she helped establish and direct post-conviction review functions and oversaw the office's internal training and professional development programs. Her legal background, combined with experience in mediation and conflict resolution, contributes to a leadership style grounded in transparency, partnership, and thoughtful decision-making.

Ramirez is also a licensed attorney in Illinois and Utah and a certified mediator. She will be closing her private law practice to fully dedicate her time and focus to serving the West Chicago community. She holds a Juris Doctor and a Bachelor's Degree in Spanish and Sociology from the University of Utah.

Ramirez is expected to begin serving as City Administrator on April 6. In this role, she will serve as the City's chief administrative officer, working closely with the Mayor and City Council to guide day-to-day operations, support strategic initiatives, and ensure the effective delivery of City services.

"The City of West Chicago is at a pivotal moment," the Mayor said. "With the completion of remediation at the former Kerr McGee site opening the door to nearly 80 acres of contiguous park space, the $2 million downtown modernization grant launching a transformative revitalization effort, and an extraordinarily engaged community that expects to be part of shaping our future, we have a rare opportunity to move forward in meaningful ways. We need an administrator who can navigate our organization through both opportunity and complexity. Viviana impressed me with her thoughtful questions, her ability to quickly understand complex issues, and her commitment to transparency and public service. I am confident she is the right person to lead our city administration during this important chapter."

Ramirez expressed enthusiasm about joining the community, stating, "I am honored to serve West Chicago and grateful for the opportunity to work alongside the Mayor, City Council, staff, and community partners. I look forward to listening, building relationships, and supporting the continued growth and success of this community."

The Mayor and City Council also expressed appreciation to residents, businesses, community partners, and staff who participated in the recruitment process. Feedback gathered through the community survey and Community Forum helped inform the selection and reflected the City's commitment to inclusive and transparent leadership decisions.

The City looks forward to welcoming Ramirez and beginning the next chapter of collaboration, service, and community-focused progress. As she transitions into the role, Ramirez will have opportunities to meet with residents, businesses, and community partners while continuing the work already underway to strengthen West Chicago's future.