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Board considers hiring outside counsel for abandonment petitions, votes to table
Summary
Trustees heard a proposal to contract the law offices of "Jacqueline J." to file property-abandonment petitions at a flat fee of $5,000 per case but raised questions about which properties, tax liabilities and bundling; a motion to table the agreement until the applicant can present at the next meeting passed.
The Village of Ford Heights board discussed an agreement with the law offices of Jacqueline J. to prepare and file abandonment petitions for vacant properties at a flat fee of $5,000 per case. The proposal was introduced during the mayor's report; trustees pressed for addresses and clarity about whether the firm would pursue parcels in divisions or the village would bundle properties for a single acquisition.
Trustees noted long-standing vacancies and blight: one speaker said the properties had been vacant "for the last 13, 14 years," urging the board to consolidate units under a single buyer or contractor rather than managing many small owners. The procedural outcome: after questions about scope, tax liability and proof of title, a motion was made and carried to table the item until the next regular meeting so the firm or applicant can appear and answer questions. The item was not approved tonight and no payment obligation was created.
"The ordinance calls for 3," said the presenter during the mayor's report when describing procedural changes under consideration, and the board declined to move that ordinance without a motion. The agreement with the law firm drew more sustained questions: trustees asked that any contract specify parcel addresses, tax responsibilities and the process for transferring deeds before the village authorizes payment. The board instructed staff and legal counsel to bring a clear contract and property list to the next meeting.
