Key Burr Ridge Official Absent Most Often

BURR RIDGE, IL – A Burr Ridge plan commissioner who is pushing a local Costco development has been absent the most among his colleagues over the last year.

In early August, the village announced the possibility of a Costco on the old CNH industrial site.

Since then, Mike Stratis, a plan commissioner who is also Costco's consultant, has missed the commission's meetings on Aug. 21 and Sept. 18.

But he has been absent before.

Over the last year, the commission met 16 times, with Stratis missing six of those sessions, or 38 percent.

Deanna McCollian and Enza Parrella missed five meetings. Barry Irwin was absent for four.

Jim Broline, Richard Morton and chairman Greg Trzupek each missed one. Joe Petrich attended all the meetings. Plan commissioners are unpaid.

In a brief interview Friday, Stratis said his recent absences have nothing to do with the CNH site.

"I travel for a living," he said.

Stratis has gained attention as information has come to light about his role with the plan for a Costco, which neighbors question.

Emails released through public records requests revealed that Stratis has repeatedly communicated over the last year with Village Administrator Evan Walter about Costco's desire to be a part of the redevelopment of the property.

At one point, Walter told Stratis that Costco must be part of the development plan as long as the company wants to be. Walter backed off that stance in an email to Patch this week.

In August, Stratis told Patch that he would not take part in any Plan Commission discussions or votes related to the CNH site if Costco is included.