Judge rules Sauk Village trustee must stay off board
BY PHIL KADNER pkadner@southtownstar.com October 9, 2012 11:18PM
Sauk Village Mayor Lewis Towers
Updated: November 12, 2012 11:45AM
Cook County Circuit Court Judge Michael Hyman has barred Sauk Village Trustee Francine Anderson from participating in village board meetings.
Mayor Lewis Towers appointed Anderson to fill a vacancy on the board late last month, but trustees refused to approve the appointment, and a majority of the board has refused to participate in meetings with Anderson since that time.
Attorneys Burton Odelson and Mike McGrath, representing the village board, filed a motion seeking the temporary restraining order against Anderson.
Odelson had previously advised Towers in writing that Anderson’s appointment was improper and a violation of state law, but Towers said he was following the advice of his attorney, whom he refused to name. State law requires that legislative bodies advise and consent when an executive officer fills a vacancy on such a board.
Hyman’s order says Anderson should not participate in village board meetings; sit at the table with the mayor, village clerk or other trustees; or interfere with the conduct of village board meetings.
The judge said he granted the restraining order to allow the village to conduct its business and because the village board was likely to prevail in its legal action against Anderson.
A full hearing on the issue of Anderson’s appointment is scheduled for Oct. 18 before Circuit Court Judge Lee Preston.
