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Oak Brook Park District discusses absenteeism policy after letter citing Commissioner Vescovi’s absences
Summary
In a May 19 closed session, the Oak Brook Park District Board discussed adopting a formal absenteeism policy after a letter from Commissioner Ivkovic Kelley alleging repeated unexplained absences by Commissioner Vescovi; the district attorney warned that disclosing closed-session details could result in prosecution.
The Oak Brook Park District Board of Commissioners met in closed session on May 19, 2025, to consider adopting a formal absenteeism policy after President Knitter acknowledged a letter from Commissioner Laure Ivkovic Kelley alleging repeated, unexplained absences by Commissioner Vescovi. The closed session began at 7:56 p.m. with all five commissioners present and District Attorney Steve Adams in attendance.
Commissioner Ivkovic Kelley moved to approve the closed-session agenda; Commissioner Gondek seconded the motion, which passed on a roll call with Commissioners Chan, Gondek, Ivkovic Kelley, Vescovi and President Knitter recorded as ayes. The board then discussed the substance of Ivkovic Kelley’s letter and whether to adopt a formal policy setting expectations for attendance and outlining possible disciplinary steps when commissioners fail to appear.
Attorney Steve Adams presented a set of "best practices and legal precedents" to guide the board’s policy development and warned of legal consequences for disclosing closed-session deliberations. Adams said, "Any individual found to have violated this confidentiality would face arrest and be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law." Commissioner Gondek, speaking for the record, said confidential information about the matter was already circulating online prior to the closed session.
According to the meeting record, Commissioners Ivkovic Kelley, Gondek, Vescovi and President Knitter expressed their full support for immediately adopting an absenteeism policy intended to reinforce expectations of duty and presence. The transcript does not record a formal adoption of a specific policy in the closed session; it records discussion and guidance from the district attorney and expressions of support for creating such a policy.
At 8:22 p.m. Commissioner Ivkovic Kelley moved and Commissioner Gondek seconded to arise from closed session and resume the open meeting; that motion passed by voice vote. The minutes note Dr. Laure L. Kosey, Executive Director, in attendance as the board returned to open session.
The board cited 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(3) of the Illinois Open Meetings Act in connection with the closed-session topic (selection or discipline of a public official). The record does not state whether the board has set a timeline for drafting or adopting the absenteeism policy, whether any formal notice was provided in open session, or whether further action is scheduled; those details were not specified in the closed-session minutes.
