Background
After working in public relations and advertising in Chicago, Marg moved to Palatine in 1972, when she began her career at Fremd High School, teaching English and art. She and Bob Duer were married in 1974, and are the parents of twins, Jean and Joe, and daughter Jenny; and grandparents of twin boys, Kyle and Parker. Marg retired from teaching in 2005, but continues her community involvement.
Marg was raised in Moline, and went on to earn her bachelor’s degree in English from Northwestern University, Evanston, and her master’s degree from St. Xavier University, Chicago. Since being elected Village Clerk in 1989, Marg has completed the Municipal Clerks of Illinois Institute and Academy through the University of Illinois to achieve the status of Registered Municipal Clerk and Certified Municipal Clerk. She continues her education through quarterly MCI Seminars and the annual Academy which address legislative issues affecting municipalities and best practices for records management.
Marg is President of the N&NW Suburban Cook County Clerks Association, which serves 46 municipalities in northern Cook County. She was also Manager of the Healthy Communities Initiative through Northwest Community Healthcare and served as clerk of the vestry and superintendent of Christian Education at St. Philips Church.
In 1991, Marg founded the Sister Cities Association of Palatine, and four years later established Fontenay-le-Comte, France, as Palatine’s Sister City. Marg opened Palatine’s Farmers’ Market in 1992, and continues to manage it. After serving on the Board of the Northwest Cultural Council, Marg became a founding member and first treasurer of Palatine/Inverness Arts Council. She serves on the Board of Directors of the League of Women Voters Palatine Area, where she has been an active member since 1975. She was the first recipient of the Studs Terkel Humanities Award for promoting the arts in Palatine.
