After the resignation of Michael Cortina as Township Attorney on the day before a resolution to report “unethical conduct” to the Attorney Registation and Disciplinary Commission was on the agenda at a Special Meeting, Supervisor Randy Funk came up with the name of another fellow Crystal Lake Lions Club member, Jim Kelly.

Jim Kelly was Algonquin Township Attorney while Chuck Lutzow was Supervisor during the time when the Edgar County Watchdogs were suing for failure to provide information requested under the Freedom of Information Act and the when the Road District was seeking to be paid vacation pay for former Road Commissioner Bob Miller that had been taken from the Road District, rather than from the Town Fund.

Kelly had been approved by the current Board to assist in developing next year’s budget.

He and Trustee Millie Medendorp worked together on the project.

That subject had been completed last Wednesday when Funk asked for approval of his appointment of Kelly for broader duties.

“Jim has been at this forever,” Funk said.

“He’s very good at it.

“He’s very easy to work with.

“He was the past township lawyer [when] we went through this mess.

“The Trustees didn’t listen.

“We probably could have stopped [Robert] Hanlon before he got us up to $900,000.

“He knows his stuff.

“He’ll be honest with us.”

Trustee Ed Zimel told of talking with Jim Militello.

[Militello was the attorney for McHenry Township who got the law allowing the abolition of townships in McHenry County by referendum, the one sponsored by State Reps. David McSweeney and Jack Franks, declared unconstitutional.]

He said his rates were reasonable and came recommended.

Interjecting, Funk said Militello had “represented a lot of folks against the Algonquin Township Assessor.”

Funk claimed Kelly was “three or four times better than Militello.]”

He said an attorney was needed for the waste hauler contract and the Siemens security contract.

Trustee Theresa Fronczak reviewed the rates proposed by Kelly:

• $250 per hour
• $325 per hour for litigation, going up to $350 by November/December

Kelly said he earned much more from private clients.

Kelly said he had b een representing townships for the better part of two decades and had served eight years as an Assistant State’s Attorney concentrating on Freedom of Information and Open Meetings Acts enforcement.

Trustee Teresa Sharpe Decker moved to postpone the decision.

“We need a chance to interview others,” she explained.

“We need a lawyer now,” Funk asserted.

Trustee Medendorp suggested a week wouldn’t make much difference.

Apparently Militello was out of the country, returning this week.

“We should look at options,” said Medendorp.

“Why haven’t you put other attorneys in front of us?’

“It’s up to the Supervisor to appoint.

“I shall not call a special meeting to appoint an attorney.”

The meeting was adjourned at 8:15.