Hurckes, who in June returned to his position as chief of staff for U.S. Rep. Dan Lipinski, said he wanted to avoid any potential conflicts of interest.
“I don’t want to get (Lipinski) into the middle of any political battles I’m in,” Hurckes said.
Hurckes resigned as Lipinski’s chief of staff in 2009 to run for mayor of Oak Lawn — a race he lost to Mayor Dave Heilmann.
Lipinski (D-3rd), of Western Springs, asked him to return to the position when Mike McLaughlin resigned from the position, Hurckes said. Hurckes added that his new job would prevent him from dedicating sufficient time to the 1st District, which he has represented for 12 years.
Hurckes originally planned to resign several weeks ago, but Heilmann asked him to stay on until the end of the summer.
“We had some major issues we had to decide on,” Heilmann said. “It’s better to have someone who’s fully up to speed.”
Hurckes, 49, ran unopposed for his fourth term in April. He said he likely would not have sought re-election if he faced a challenger.
Hurckes said he’s not sure what his legacy will be, but his primary goal was always to get things done for 1st District residents.
“They don’t want to hear, ‘no,’ ” he said. “I learned from one of the best: Bill Lipinski.”
Hurckes was the elder Lipinski’s chief of staff until his retirement as a U.S. Representative.
Hurckes said he lost some of his passion for the trustee position after the tragic death of his younger daughter Megan in an ATV accident in September 2009.
“You kind of lose your zeal for the battle,” Hurckes said. “Your priorities change a lot.”
Heilmann will appoint Hurckes’ replacement, but the appointment requires village board approval.
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