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Trustee alleges hiring-policy violation over vendor payment; board approves bills after executive session
Summary
Trustee Tim Perchinski argued the village paid invoices to a vendor who lacked a required license and alleged the vendor was hired in violation of the hiring policy because he is related to the mayor; the motion to withhold payment failed for lack of a second and the board later approved the bills.
Trustee Tim Perchinski moved to withhold payment on invoices for a vendor identified as David Wheeler, and on other auto-parts charges he said Wheeler had authority to sign, arguing the vendor lacked a village license and that the hiring violated the village hiring policy because Wheeler is related to Mayor William Joyce. "You hired David Wheeler in violation of the hiring policy of the Village of Steger," Perchinski said during the reconvened meeting.
Mayor William Joyce responded that he hires "anybody whether they were related to me or not if they are qualified for the job they were hired for," and asked Assistant Superintendent of Public Works Roy Stone to explain Wheeler's work. Stone said repairs to the village's fleet are urgent: "If we don't get these trucks fixed, we are going to have major problems." Perchinski said the existence of a license, insurance and a bond were required for vendors performing work for the Village.
Perchinski's motion to pay all bills except those for Wheeler received no second and therefore died. Trustee Stewart later moved to pay the bills as listed when funds become available; Trustee Kaminski seconded. On a voice vote the board recorded ayes from Hanus, Kaminski, Stewart and Trotier; Trustee Thurmond voted no and Trustee Perchinski abstained; the motion carried and the bills were approved.
The minutes record that the board had earlier moved paying bills to after an executive session held under the Open Meetings Act (5 ILCS 120/2(c)(5)), but they do not record any additional findings from that closed session pertaining to Wheeler. The minutes do not list whether David Wheeler holds a village license or the precise nature of the invoices in question. The record shows disagreement among trustees about compliance with the hiring policy but does not include a formal investigation or a vote to discipline or revoke payments specifically for the named vendor.
