Waukegan council faces criticism over attorney hiring and liquor license delays

Tensions flared at the Waukegan City Council meeting as residents voiced strong opposition to the council's recent decision to hire an attorney to represent individual council members. Diane Verratti, a frequent attendee at council meetings, expressed her outrage, stating, "You don't care about this city. You care about power." She criticized the move as unnecessary and potentially damaging to the integrity of the council, arguing that the city’s corporation counsel, Mr. Weiss, already provides adequate legal protection for city officials.

Verratti's comments highlighted concerns over ethical governance, with Alderman Turner also raising alarms about inconsistencies in decision-making and conflicts of interest. "Investigations into ethical allegations seem not to be handled expeditiously," Turner noted, specifically referencing ongoing allegations against Mayor Taylor. Verratti warned that hiring separate legal representation could lead to chaos within the council, suggesting it would create factions that could hinder effective governance.

The meeting also featured a plea from attorney Robert Rataca, representing La Cantina, a family-owned business seeking a liquor license. Rataca emphasized the importance of timely decisions for the livelihoods of employees and the community, stating, "They deserve the opportunity based on no public nuisance violations." He urged the council to expedite the licensing process, which has been stalled for months.

In a related discussion, resident Joe Kopsick proposed a shift in taxation policy, advocating for land value taxation to alleviate the financial burden on property owners. He argued that this approach would promote urban development and reduce vacant lots, suggesting that the city could replace a significant portion of its budget with this new tax structure.

As the meeting concluded, the council faced mounting pressure from residents to address these critical issues, with many calling for greater transparency and accountability in city governance. The implications of these discussions could shape the future of Waukegan's leadership and community relations.