Officials

Supervisor Jan Suthard:

Elected in April of 2005 as Supervisor. It is a privilege and honor to serve the residents of Benton Township. My husband Dave and I  have three wonderful daughters Michelle, Melissa, and Amy. We have lived in Benton Township for over 20 years.

Assessor Gary Allen:

Gary is a life long resident of the Zion/Benton area.  He attended Zion Grade schools and graduated from Zion-Benton High School.  He is married and has one girl, 3 years old; a Bichon Frise. He has been in the Real Estate business for the last 35 plus years and a full time State Certified Residential Real Estate Appraiser for over 20 years.  He was on the Lake County Board of Review for the last eight years until his election as Benton Township Assessor.

Highway Commissioner Eugene (Gene) Gross:

In April 2005 Gene was elected as Benton Township Highway Commissioner. He is employed as Superintendent of Public Works for the Village of Beach Park.  He and his family have been life-long residents of Beach Park.

Town Clerk Philip Leable:

I was born and raised on a dairy farm in Newport Township. My wife and I moved to Benton Township in 1953 and operated a dairy farm which is currently Shepherds Crook Golf Course. I worked for Benton Township in the highway department until 1979, then was elected Highway Commissioner and served in that capacity until 1997. When I retired in 1997 I then ran for Town Clerk serving for the past nine years. I had the privilege of being the First Clerk in the State of Illinois to conduct Early Voting.  I also served for 12 years on the school board of North Prairie School District.

William Devore:

Administrator at the College of Lake County.  I have served as Benton Township Trustee for six years. My family and I have lived in Benton Township for 30 years.

Harvey Holland:

I have always been proud to serve my township, and at the end of this term, it will have been for over 28 years. I have lived in Benton Township for more than 50 years of my life; where I attended Zion-Benton High School.  I am married to my lovely wife Cynthia.  I have three sons, one daughter, and three grandkids that I just adore.

Ed Hucker: 
My wife of 50 years Jean and I have four children; three sons and one daughter.  Three are married, and live in Benton Township. I served in the U.S Army for 2 years in Germany in the armored division, and also attended Lake Forest College. Jean and Ed retired from Hucker Electric Co. in 1994. Our family moved to Benton Township from Waukegan in 1965.  Ed has served as a Trustee since 1989.

Dan Oestreich: 

I have been a Benton Township Trustee for 20 + years.  I have lived in Benton Township for 46 years, graduated from Zion Benton High School in 1964, served in the United States Marine Corps for 4 years from Dec. 1965 through Dec. 1969.  I married my wife Harriet in October 1972; we have a lovely daughter and granddaughter, and enjoy spending as much time with them as we can.