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Politics & Government

Kot Returns to Public Service as New Yorkville Ward 2 Alderman

After a six-year break, Larry Kot is returning to the Yorkville City Council. He's ready to tackle the economic problems that Yorkville, like most cities, faces today.

Larry Kot learned something after he voluntarily stepped down from the Yorkville City Council: He missed representing the city.

And that simple fact explains why Kot was glad to reclaim his council seat -- representing the city's second ward -- when new Yorkville mayor Gary Golinski asked.

"Doing this gets in your blood, I suppose," Kot said. "I enjoy representing the people."

Kot will serve a two-year term on the Yorkville City Council. He is filling the seat vacated when former Golinski, a Ward 2 alderman, won election this April as Yorkville's mayor.

Aldermen and May 10, the same night as Golinski officially became mayor and four other aldermen also took the oath of office.

Kot brings plenty of experience with local government to his council seat. He sat on the Yorkville City Council from 1997 to 2005. Prior to this, when he lived in the municipality of Tinley Park, Ill., Kot logged a four-year term on that board.

In 2005, Kot decided not to seek re-election to the Yorkville City Council. It was time, he said, to take a break from municipal politics.

"For about 12 years of my adult life, I had been going to council meetings," Kot said. "I was spending a lot of time away from home. It was time to take a little break. I was ready to spend more time at home. Serving on these councils can become very time-consuming."

Today, though, Kot is ready to serve again. He's looking forward to helping Yorkville work through what is still a sluggish economy. His main goal, he said, is to do whatever he can to help the city attract new businesses and put more residents to work.

"There are a lot of challenges facing the city," Kot said. "It reminds me of when I first got on the council in 1997, before the big building boom hit. We sat through many a meeting trying to figure out ways to raise money. This is a similar situation. Money is tight."

Kot has served with the Illinois State Police for more then 25 years, and is still working with the department.

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