The Oswegoland Park District is preparing for the search for its next executive director, after its former Executive Director Thomas Betsinger recently resigned.
Betsinger was arrested on July 13 after reportedly crashing into multiple vehicles and attempting to strike a pedestrian, according to past reporting. After being taken into custody by the Yorkville Police Department, he was taken to the Kendall County Jail and booked on charges of aggravated assault, criminal damage to property, driving under the influence of alcohol and attempted reckless homicide.
On July 15, Betsinger was put on administrative leave, a move that was ratified by the Oswegoland Park District Board of Commissioners on July 17, according to Laura Finch, the park district’s director of Marketing and Customer Service. The park board’s law firm, Ancel Glink, was performing an independent investigation into the incident, according to past reporting.
The park board has since received and accepted Betsinger’s resignation, according to a news release from the park district on Friday. The release stated that the park district holds its officers and employees “to the highest standards of conduct,” and that the board “looks forward to launching a comprehensive search for a new leader who will build on our progress and continue to advance the district’s programs and services.”
Finch said in an email Friday that the park district does not yet have an expected timeline for the search process.
Betsinger’s attorney, Daniel Transier, did not immediately return The Beacon-News’s request for comment on Friday. According to Kendall County court records, Betsinger’s next court date is set for Aug. 8.
mmorrow@chicagotribune.com
