Sugar Grove board appoints Vasselli Law as village attorney in unanimous vote

The Village of Sugar Grove Board of Trustees voted unanimously Feb. 4 to appoint Vasselli Law as the village attorney after a brief executive session to discuss legal representation.

The appointment followed a motion to move into executive session under the Open Meetings Act exception for discussing the appointment or dismissal of legal counsel. Trustee Glendy moved to appoint Vasselli Law; Trustee White seconded. During the roll call on the appointment the board recorded the motion as carried 6-0.

The firm’s principal, James Vasselli, introduced himself to the board after the vote and described the practice as a municipal law firm with about eight lawyers that represents multiple municipalities. “We are a full service firm. We do everything from administrative law to zoning law,” Vasselli told the trustees.

Trustees asked whether any additional formal action was necessary to remove the village’s prior firm. Village staff said they did not believe a formal dismissal was required because the prior firm had sent a letter indicating it was closing its municipal practice; staff said they had acknowledged that letter and expressed thanks for prior service but saw no need for a separate removal action under Illinois municipal law.

The board did not identify further conditions attached to the appointment during the meeting. The trustees moved immediately to other agenda items after seating Vasselli at the dais.

Ending: Records in the meeting packet show the appointment was made by roll call and recorded as unanimous. The village indicated the new firm will be subject to normal contract and engagement review going forward.