Is Burr Ridge Planning Exit Deal For Longtime Official?

BURR RIDGE, IL — Burr Ridge's lawyer continues to talk with the lawyer for an official who has been on leave from work since September, the mayor said last week.

Mayor Gary Grasso was referring to the dispute with Jerry Sapp, the village's finance director for a quarter century.

"This is an ongoing process," Grasso told the Village Board last week. "I can only tell the village and the trustees at this point that the proverbial ball is in Mr. Sapp's court. We have been kept abreast closely by counsel. We're having what I hope are productive and professional conversations from his side and, of course, our side."

Sapp declined to comment Wednesday, but he said in an email that he may do so next week.

In early September, Sapp suffered a medical emergency at work and went to the hospital. While his doctor cleared him days afterward, he has been barred from returning to work. He continues to collect his paycheck while he stays home, costing taxpayers more than $60,000. The village, meanwhile, has spent at least $28,000 in legal bills in the matter, according to public records.

With the April 6 election approaching, the board has spotlighted tens of thousands in legal spending that it says is the result of Trustee Zach Mottl's public records requests. But its members have largely kept silent about the expenditures related to Sapp. Before Grasso's statement last week, Mottl typically has been the only one who brings up Sapp's situation at meetings, calling for the village to let him return to work.

Last fall, Grasso and village trustees arranged for then-Village Administrator Doug Pollock's departure, giving him $38,000 in severance. It is unclear whether the village is planning a similar deal for Sapp.

Sapp is still listed as the finance director on the village's website.