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West Chicago council extends Ancel Glink engagement through 2026 after debate over outside counsel
Summary
The council voted to extend the city's engagement with law firm Ancel Glink through 2026. Debate centered on whether the firm would subcontract work to attorney Mr. Jacobson; Kevin Sterk of Ancel Glink assured the council the firm would use its own attorneys and would not be sending work to Mr. Jacobson at this time.
The West Chicago City Council voted by roll call on Aug. 4 to extend the city's engagement letter with the law firm Ancel Glink through 2026.
Alderman Myers moved to approve the extension "not to exceed 2026," and Alderman Santiago seconded the motion. The motion carried on a roll call with multiple aldermen recorded as voting "Aye." No nays were recorded in the transcript.
Several council members said they supported Ancel Glink overall but wanted assurance the firm would not subcontract work to attorney Mr. Jacobson. Alderman Hallett asked, "What is your guarantee that we'll never have Mr. Jacobson?"
Kevin Sterk, who identified himself as "senior counsel at Ancel Glink," responded that he was not the firm's final decision maker but that he would convey council concerns to the handling attorneys. "I'm not the decision maker for that," Sterk said. He later said, "Mr. Jacobson doesn't work for our firm. He would never be sitting here." Sterk added that, should the firm's primary contacts be unavailable, another Ancel Glink attorney would represent the city.
Council members also discussed cost and value; one alderman described Ancel Glink as "a premium" firm but said the council wanted the firm’s direct representation. Following that exchange, the council completed the roll call and approved the extension.
