The Waukegan Public Library is a component unit of the City of Waukegan. It is governed by a nine member board who are appointed by the Mayor of the City of Waukegan and approved by the City Council. Annually, before the first of July, the Mayor shall appoint or re-appoint three trustees.
It is the duty of each of the members of the Board of Trustees to carry out the spirit and intent of the Illinois Local Library Act in maintaining a public library and for providing library service to the residents of the city.
For further information regarding the responsibilities of the Board of Trustees, please contact Mr. Richard Lee, Executive Director, at 847-623-2041, ext. 250, or at richardlee [at] waukeganpl [dot] info.
The Board of Trustees of the Waukegan Public Library
Charmaine Harris, Ph.D.
wplboard [at] waukeganpl [dot] info (Email)
Term of office as Library Trustee: 2010-2013
Current Board Position: President
Charmaine Harris has devoted more than 25 years of professional service in a variety of educational settings from PreK through college. The product of such service has been focused in urban educational environments where students and their families have been afforded her dedication to insuring they experience the benefits of quality educational programming. Charmaine graduated from Zion-Benton Township High School, Southern Illinois University-Carbondale, Eastern Illinois University, and lastly The Ohio State University. Each stop on her educational journey was filled with supportive individuals who understood the importance of “paying it forward”. Charmaine is a proud resident of the Waukegan community where she extends her personal service to area families through a variety of community service initiatives which include serving as a Trustee/President of the Waukegan Public Library Board, a board member of the Waukegan 2 College program, and a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
C. Myra Gaytan-Morales
wplboard [at] waukeganpl [dot] info (Email)
Term of office as Library Trustee: 2009-2015
Current Board Position: Vice-President
John Stein
wplboard [at] waukeganpl [dot] info (Email)
Term of office as Library Trustee: 2008-2014
Current Board Position: Treasurer
Jacqueline E. Herrera Giron, Esq.wplboard [at] waukeganpl [dot] info (Email)Term of office as Library Trustee: 2012-2015
Current Board Position: Trustee
Jacqueline Herrera GirÓn is an immigration law attorney working as the Director of the Fr. Graf Center in Waukegan, IL. Prior to the Graf Center she worked at the Lake County Public Defender’s office providing Padilla advisories and there she created a screening system to ensure that immigrants were advised about their rights and consequences due to their possible convictions. She was formerly with Instituto del Progreso Latino as the Legalization Director. There she implemented the Immigrant Protection Plan for immigrant families that were in deportation proceedings. Prior to joining Instituto she worked as the Policy & Training Associate at the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant & Refugee Rights where she conducted immigration law trainings and collaborated with efforts to pass pro-immigrant legislation. She has represented and assisted immigrants from all parts of the globe in immigration and citizenship matters.
Jesus Ruíz
Megan Spaur
Verna WilsonAs a native Chicagoan, I have the distinct honor of living in Waukegan for the past 16 years and working for the Waukegan Public School District. I’m blessed with a teenage daughter (Alana) who attends Waukegan High School’s College Studies Program. My cumulative 24 years of experience in the field of education as a teacher, principal, director, and currently as a district administrator exemplifies my passion for literacy. I have a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and a Masters in Workforce Development & Education from Southern Illinois University. I earned a second Masters degree from Aurora University in Educational Leadership and I’m currently a PhD candidate in Executive Leadership at the University of Illinois. My service on the WPL Board represents my ongoing commitment to literacy as both my professional and personal lifelong goal is to empower others with knowledge.
Pete ZaragozaMy background is in education, having served as an administrator at City Colleges of Chicago, Argosy University and Chicago School of Professional Psychology. My professional relationship with the Library began during my years at City Colleges. An innovative program combining City College personnel, WYCC broadcasts and Chicago Public Libraries provided media based instruction through libraries across Chicago. My involvement continued as a board member and officer of the Friends of the Waukegan Public Library. As a Trustee for the Waukegan Public Library, I continue to serve as an advocate for libraries and education.
Board Committees:
Finance/Audit
Jesus Ruíz, Chair
John Stein
Governance
Pete Zaragoza, Chair
Myra Gaytan-Morales
Megan Spaur
Development
Verna Wilson, Chair
Jackie Herrera Giron