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East Dundee approves mural contract amid Arts Council accusation of harassment of artist
Summary
Trustees approved a resolution contracting muralist Catherine Eli Hart for a village-hall mural. An Arts Council representative accused Village President Langan of swearing at and harassing the artist on site; the president denied swearing and the board debated process and procedure before voting to approve the resolution.
The East Dundee Village Board voted on Oct. 21 to approve a resolution contracting artist Catherine Eli Hart to paint a mural at 120 Barrington Avenue at Village Hall.
During discussion an Arts Council representative (speaking on behalf of the council) thanked staff and volunteers for their support but alleged that the village president had sworn at and harassed the artist on site, that the president’s brother then falsely claimed to be a village official, and that the incident was captured on police cameras. The Arts Council speaker called that behavior inappropriate and said future complaints should be directed to the Arts Council rather than to the artist.
President Langan denied swearing at the artist. Other trustees and board members described strong community support for the mural, recounted positive interactions with residents and passersby, and noted the Arts Council had budget authority for the project. Trustees also raised process concerns: one trustee argued that appropriations of public funds should be approved before work begins; Arts Council and staff said the council had discussed the location at a prior meeting and had communicated about the change. The board ultimately approved the resolution by recorded voice votes.
The mural contract and associated budget details will be documented in the official minutes. The Arts Council’s allegation that the president harassed the artist was made in open session and recorded on the meeting transcript; the board did not announce an investigation during the meeting. The transcript records both the accusation and the president’s denial.
