Campaign Donors Influence Burr Ridge?

BURR RIDGE, IL — The Burr Ridge Village Board last week voted on the final plan for a residential subdivision that required an agreement with neighboring Willow Springs. One of the trustees dissented, saying he was troubled by the developer's contributions to the former mayor.

The trustees voted 4-1 for the Willow Ridge subdivision, which required Willow Springs and Burr Ridge to swap land. The developer, Refaat Abdel-Malek, gave $800 in contributions in 2017 and 2018 to then-Mayor Mickey Straub, who resigned in November 2018.

Village Administrator Doug Pollock said the agreement with Willow Springs involved an "innovative situation." He said Straub was "instrumental" in reaching an agreement for the proposed subdivision, which is planned for the southeast corner of German Church Road and Buege Lane. The developer, he said, would exceed requirements by adding curb and gutters to both sides of Buege Lane, when he only has to do one side.

Trustee Guy Franzese said the area of the subdivision has "languished" for years because of zoning issues and the boundary between the villages. He said he was glad the villages reached an equitable solution, saying it was a win-win for all concerned.

Trustee Zach Mottl, though, said he wished he had known about Malek's contributions to Straub before taking a previous vote related to the development.

"I've seen a troubling trend of people who donate to mayors and trustees in this town getting a lot of special favors out of zoning and all these types of things. I wonder who else they donated to. I think it's a problem," Mottl said.

The village board voted for the subdivision's final plan, with Mottl dissenting.

After the vote, Malek told the board that he resented Mottl's comments.

"He does not know how much sacrifice we have been doing to please the village," he said. "This is not proper to use my name in this meeting in the manner it was used."

Mottl responded, "A couple of donations solved the problem."

Mayor Gary Grasso said Mottl shouldn't treat members of the public that way.

According to Board of Elections records, Malek made no donations to the current mayor and trustees.

In an interview, Straub said the public should always examine campaign contributions and see whether donors are trying to buy favors. In this case, he said Malek is a respected person in the community and a leader in his church.

"It's sad that Zach Mottl would cast aspersions on (Malek)," Straub said. "Desperate people say desperate things."

In an interview, Grasso said Mottl's accusations involving Malek and Straub were "outrageous." He praised his predecessor for finding a solution to the issues with the subdivision.

As for the campaign contributions, Grasso said, "everyone in this business gets donations."