The Homer Glen Village Board voted to create a legal counsel position and fill it with the law firm Odelson, Sterk, Murphey, Frazier and McGrath, Ltd., overriding Mayor George Yukich’s veto.
Trustee Nicole La Ha, who said the legislative counsel position was needed, expressed concern over the choice of law firms because Odelson and Sterk represents Homer Township, where township Supervisor Steve Balich is threatening to sue the village if it cannot come to an agreement on road maintenance.
Homer Glen created the new legislative counsel position in July, which does not replace its current attorney but is an additional position. Trustees at the time cited their lack of confidence in the current legal counsel and desire to have a second opinion. The firm would be paid $185 per hour.
Yukich vetoed the action last month, saying a second law firm would result in “unnecessarily higher costs for the village” and that it posed a conflict of interest because the firm represents the township.
“How would they choose which client’s interests are more important?” Yukich asked last month.
La Ha voted in July to hire Odelson and Sterk but changed her mind because of recent developments. She and Trustee Beth Rodgers were against overriding the mayor’s veto in the 4 to 2 vote on Wednesday.
“Mr. Balich has talked about potential lawsuits not being off the table and that’s absolutely his prerogative,” La Ha said. “That’s him protecting the township. … We’re here to protect the village.”
La Ha said she also believed a more transparent search to hire a law firm should be considered. Hiring should be conducted according to village procedure, and potential job candidates should be given due diligence, she said.
Homer Township has been threatening to sue Homer Glen since early August.
Homer Township Road District Commissioner Brent Porfilio said he does not have enough equipment to maintain township roads after the village of Homer Glen seized the road district’s property, equipment and assets in early April.
Homer Glen officials last year announced the village was working with former road district commissioner Mike DeVivo to transfer the road district’s assets to the village, and the township sued to stop the transfer. A Will County Circuit Court judge in April ruled the transfer of assets is legal, and the village of Homer Glen then created its first public works department.
Porfilio last month asked for some property and equipment to be returned to the township claiming it now does not have enough trucks to plow snow or service the roads.
The village and township are trying to work out an updated agreement in which the village’s new public works department maintains township roads. Homer Township has between 18 and 21.6 miles of roads to maintain.
Village attorney Eric Hanson said township and village officials are still figuring out everyone’s roles and responsibilities.
Porfilio said progress is being made and a decision could be reached later this month.
Michelle Mullins is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
