Ronald M. Serpico

Ronald Serpico is a man who has deep family roots in the Village of Melrose Park. His grandfather, Domenico Serpico, immigrated to Melrose Park in the early part of the 20th century. Like many immigrants in the 1900s, Domenico faced discrimination, but he was determined to make a better life for his family in America. If he were here today, Domenico would be filled with pride as he realized that the Village he immigrated to with just a dream was now being presided over by his grandson, Mayor Ron Serpico.

Ron was not involved in local politics as a young man. At the time his priorities were raising a family and creating a thriving law practice. Today, his once fledgling law firm has grown into a firm of successful stature. Nonetheless, if asked, he would assure you that his greatest achievement is his family. Ron and his wife, Donna, have three children and are the proud grandparents of nine beautiful grandchildren.

Ronald Serpico, believing in his grandfather’s vision of the “American Dream,” successfully ran for Mayor in 1997. At that time, Ron felt the priorities of the Village were not focused on the hopes, dreams and concerns of all its residents. Since then, Ron and the Village trustees have been working hard to make Melrose Park a community that people and businesses want to move to and not from.

During his tenure, Mayor Serpico has ushered in an economic turnaround, which has seen major retailers like Costco, Walgreens, Menards and Tonys Grocery Store locate in Melrose Park. He was responsible for the Melrose Park Water Project, a water transmission system that will ensure a steady flow of clean water for many years to come. He was also instrumental in making major infrastructure improvements in all sections of the Village, including the award-winning RR overpass on 25th Avenue. Melrose Park, in February of 2019, incorporated the abandoned Maywood Park Racetrack and by 2020 this property will have retail outlets and industrial buildings on the site.

He is very proud that he helped elect Melrose Park’s first female and first Hispanic Village Board Members.

Mayor Serpico’s community involvement is extensive and his generosity well known. He has taken on many a law client who could not afford a legal retainer, but whom he felt deserved their day in court.

His concern for others led Ron Serpico to start a charitable organization named the “Melrose Park Sports and Family Benefit Fund.” This charity has raised over a million dollars, which is given to local youth, senior, school, and athletic organizations.

Serpico believes Melrose Park retains those old-world principles and values that are lost in the newer suburban areas. In Melrose Park, mothers still look out their windows to keep a watchful eye on the neighborhood kids playing in the yard. And people still sit on their porches and talk to each other over the fence.

Melrose Park is still a place where people get involved in their community through many fine organizations. But most important, Melrose Park is still a place where a person gladly lends a helping hand to a neighbor in need.

Ronald M. Serpico attributes his success to the strong family values of his parents, grandparents, and the close-knit community where he grew up.

EDUCATION
• Graduate of Mount Carmel Grade School, 1966
• Graduate of Proviso East, 1970
• Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science, Illinois State University, 1973
• Juris Doctorate, DePaul School of Law, 1977

GOVERNMENT SERVICE
• President of the Village of Melrose Park since May 1, 1997 • Former Board of Directors, Proviso Council on Aging
• Former President, Proviso Municipal League
• Chairman, West Suburban Preservation Agency

PAST AWARDS
• Illinois State Crime Commission Municipal Leader of the Year
• Proviso East Wall of Fame Inductee
• Melrose Park Napolitano Club Man of the Year
* Flowers of Italy Club Man of the Year
• Sons of Italy in America Law Enforcement Lodge #1 Man of the Year • Peacemaker Award Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans

PAST AND CURRENT MEMBERSHIPS
• Executive Committee Member, West Central Municipal Council
• Member, Villa Scalabrini Cavaliers
• Member, NECHUAL Foundation Board
• Member, Justinian Society Italian-American Lawyers Association
• Knights of Columbus
• Former Board Member, Proviso Early Intervention Building Program • Vice President of Sigma Nu Fraternity, Illinois State University
• 1972 Delegate, Democratic National Convention

LEGAL EXPERIENCE
• Practicing Attorney since 1977
• Private Practice since 1980
• Former Prosecutor, Village of Melrose Park
• Former Library Attorney, Village of Melrose Park • Former Prosecutor, Village of Stone Park
• Former Board Attorney, Veterans Park District
• Former Attorney, National Association of Letter Carriers Branch 825 • Former Attorney, Local 1027 Carpenters Union