County Board opts to offer administrator job to Kristen Trebil-Halbersma

During a special meeting on Wednesday, June 18, the Cook County Board of Commissioners discussed the interviews they held earlier this week of four finalist candidates for the county administrator position. After taking public feedback and the opinion of the Management Advisory Team (MAT) into account, they voted to offer the job to Kristen Trebil-Halbersma.

County Human Resources Director Allison Plummer provided summaries of the opinions of the MAT, and the feedback from the public. She noted that while over 50 people gave feedback during the first round of interviews the county held in March, this time only 15 online forms were submitted, and one paper form. She added, however, that the opinions expressed by the MAT and the public was in alignment, with Trebil-Halbersma as the top rated candidate. 

Plummer read a statement on behalf of the MAT, which said, “Kristen best displayed the qualities we found most important for the administrator job.” She went on to say the MAT appreciated her experience and intelligence, and her emphasis on personal relationships. “She just was spot on with everything,” Plummer said, adding that the public feedback was in agreement.

Four of the commissioners also identified Trebil-Halbersma as their first choice candidate. Commissioner Ann Sullivan said, “Kristen was my top choice. I really felt she was extremely professional and a very effective communicator.”

Commissioners Dave Mills and Ginny Storlie voiced their agreement, and Commissioner Garry Gamble added that he felt she understood and connected with the core values the board was seeking in an administrator.

Commissioner Deb White identified Trebil-Halbersma as her second choice. She said her stop candidate was Jeff Jacobson, because of his experience as a city administrator. Ultimately, while White said she had doubts about her, she voted with the other commissioners to extend the job offer to Trebil-Halbersma.

After the meeting Interim Administrator Rena Rogers told WTIP that Trebil-Halbersma’s background in leadership coaching was also an attractive thing for the board. Rogers said that if Trebil-Halbersma takes the role, she could be valuable to the county staff. “She has a great team to work with,” Rogers said. “Got a lot of really talented, especially young leaders right now, and I think they’re going to benefit greatly from someone who is really focused on developing staff.”

Trebil-Halbersma’s interview was recorded as part of the county’s administrator hiring process. The interviews are available through the county’s YouTube page.

Now that the board has made a selection, a hiring team will present Trebil-Halbersma with an offer, and work to negotiate the details of a contract, if she choses to accept the position. 

Kirsten Wisniewski June 19, 2025