Jim Emmett was elected 5th Ward alderman in April 2015. Prior to winning a seat on the City Council, Jim served as a police officer for 36 years, serving more than 26 of those years with the Oak Forest Police Department. He currently serves as president of the Oak Forest Park District Board of Commissioners.
Jim is optimistic about the city's current efforts to revitalize business corridors by demolishing dilapidated buildings and aggressively marketing available properties to developers and investors. These potential development opportunities along with improving the city's aging infrastructure and roadways are priorities that Jim believes will help Oak Forest enhance its economic vitality and continue to provide superior quality of life for its residents.
Jim and his wife have lived in Oak Forest for more than 40 years and have raised five children here. Three of their children are raising their kids in Oak Forest – allowing the couple to spend lots of quality time with their grandkids.