McHenry County Blog

Somehow I posted the wrong court order from Judge Thomas Meyer in the litigation between Grafton Township Road Commissioner Jack Freund and Supervisor Linda Moore.

I have take that one down and put up the one I thought I was writing about.

An email from Grafton Township Supervisor Linda Moore about mediation being order between her and Road Commissioner Jack Freund:

“Please find attached to this email, the court order, granting my petition which requests that the Highway Commissioner Jack Freund and I enter mediation to resolve the suit filed by the Highway Commissioner.

“My earlier attempts to enter mediation with an attorney offering to mediate at no charge and without a court order were not accepted by Mr. Freund and his attorneys.”

“The court order reads:

“This cause coming on Defendants Motion to Refer to Mediation, the court being duly advised, IT IS ORDERED:

1. The Motion is Granted. The parties are ordered to attend mediation, with mediator C. Ellis, if possible.
2. Defendant granted to 10/25/12 for responsive pleading.
3. Case set for 12/14/12 at 9:00 am for further status.

“Prepared by Hoppa”

Attached was a court order signed by Associate Judge Thomas Meyer:

One could note that the mediator names, Case Ellis, is not the one who volunteered to do it for free, Rob Hanlon.

A press release from Huntley School District 158 and its teachers’ union:

A Joint Press Release from the Board of Education of Consolidated School District 158 and the Huntley Education Association

ALGONQUIN, IL – The District 158 administration and the Huntley Education Association (HEA) negotiation team have met regularly throughout the summer for the purpose of working toward a contract agreement with the HEA.

The parties, including representatives of the Board of Education, last met on Thursday, August 9, 2012.

At the end of this meeting, both sides have agreed that our next best step is to work through a mediator.

Although D158 teachers will be starting the year without a new contract, all parties remain committed to seeing this through without affecting the school year or students.

A letter sent by Attorney Robert Hanlon to the Grafton Township Trustees:

August 2, 2012
Grafton Township Offices
Messrs. LaPorta, McMahon, Moore, Murphy, Zirk,
Unit B
10109 Vine Street
Huntley, IL 60142

Via Personal Delivery at Grafton Township Offices

Re: Termination of Prior Offer of Free Mediation

Last month I made an offer to attempt to mediate the issues between the Grafton Township Trustees and the Grafton Township Supervisor.

The offer was made as a result of what I believe to be a complete waste of judicial and taxpayer resourses arising from the disputes in Grafton Township government by individuals with no direct pecuniary stake in the litigation.

When I extended my offer, I truly believed there was legitimate interest on all parties to pursue the avenue of mediation.

Initially, based on what I had heard about these disputes I was concerned about a lack of good faith by the respective parties.

Because of that I had asked Mrs. Moore for a simple concession demonstrating her good faith.

That concession was granted.

I came to the Grafton Township offices[Thursday night] with two letters, one congratulating you all for your willingness to mediate. Of course the other letter is before you.

The personal animus which I perceive still exists and is eroding the very concept of governance by consent in Grafton Township.

As of right now, Mrs. Moore and Mr. Ottley via their counsel are the only ones to have accepted my offer of mediation.

I had been in contact with some of the trustees and in particular Mr. McMahon, Mrs. Zirk and Mrs. Murphy.

Both Mrs. Zirk and Mrs. Murphy expressed an interest in the mediation process.

Approximately two weeks ago I provided dates to Mrs. Zirk so that in the event the trustees were interested in mediation a special meeting could be called.

The dates I provided her were 7/30 and 7/31.

The Trustees did not call a special meeting.

I understand from Mrs. Zirk that she was under the impression that Mrs. Moore was going to schedule a special meeting of the Grafton Township Board.

I also understand that the trustees were not willing to make a decision on my offer to mediate in the absence of their counsel.

Nevertheless, at this time I have no acceptance from the trustees and I doubt very much given Mr. LaPorta’s statement to the press and Mr. McMahon’s statements expressing concerns about success in mediation that such an approval will be forthcoming.

As such, my offer to mediate for free between the Trustees and the Supervisor is now withdrawn.

The offer of mediation accepted by Mrs. Moore and Mr. Ottley will proceed unless terminated for other reasons.

Hopefully that process between Mrs. Moore and Mr. Ottley will result in a positive result for the parties and the people who are paying for the ongoing litigation.

Respectfully,

ROBERT T. HANLON

Grafton Township Supervisor Linda Moore has called a Special Meeting for tonight to discuss the possibility of mediating some of the legal disputes between her and the four Township Trustees.

The agenda for the 7 PM meeting follows:

1. Call to Order
2. Roll Call
3. Pledge of Allegiance
4. Public Comment
5. Discussion and action regarding mediation of matters of Moore vs. Grafton Township, Ottley vs. Moore, and Freund vs. Moore litigation in McHenry County Courts.
6. Executive Session regarding the following excerpt from the Illinois Open Meetings Act
7. Possible action on settlement agreement to resolve township litigation as determined in closed session.
8. Discussion and action of items as discussed in Executive Session.
9. Adjournment of the meeting.

Attorney Robert Hanlon of Woodstock has agreed to try to mediate differences among the feuding parties.