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Fox River Grove board narrows Special Events Commission to five members after debate
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Summary
Trustees amended and approved Ordinance 2023-03 to restructure the Special Events Commission, setting it at five members with staggered three-year terms; Trustee Wall opposed the change citing timing before the annual fireworks event.
The Village of Fox River Grove Board of Trustees on April 4 amended and approved Ordinance No. 2023-03 to restructure the Special Events Commission, changing the commission size and making members appointed by the village president subject to board confirmation.
Village President Marc McLaughlin presented the ordinance, saying the change responded to difficulty finding volunteers to fill vacancies. Under the ordinance as amended, members will serve staggered three-year terms beginning May 1 and ending April 30 following the three-year term, and the president’s appointments must be confirmed by the board. McLaughlin said community partners—including the Lions Club, Jaycees and the library—would be encouraged to participate in planning annual events such as the fireworks display.
Trustees debated the proper size for the commission. Trustee Patrick Wall said he opposed reducing membership just before this year’s fireworks and objected to the timing of the change, noting he wished the matter had been discussed earlier. Trustee Melissa Schladt moved to amend Sec. 2-262 to set the commission at five members (rather than the three members in the original draft); Trustee Steve Knar seconded. The amendment passed on a roll call vote with Wall voting no and the other five trustees voting yes.
After the amendment, Trustee Andrew Migdal moved to approve Ordinance No. 2023-03 as amended; Trustee Knar seconded and the board approved the ordinance with the same 5–1 roll call outcome. Trustee Schladt and Parks Commission Chair Kirsten Wall—who was present as a speaker—said a five-member body allows the commission to function with a quorum of three even if seats go unfilled. Several trustees noted community volunteerism has declined and that reducing the number of seats can ease the burden on chairs who must carry out large events.
Appointments to the reconstituted Special Events Commission are scheduled to be considered at the April 18 board meeting; the ordinance’s effective date is May 1.