Law Firm Investigates Cary Village Board Infighting

CARY, IL – A law firm hired to investigate claims that a Cary Village Board trustee harassed another trustee, telling her during a hostile exchange at a December meeting that "you make me sick" and "it actually disgusts me that I even have to sit by you," according to the Northwest Herald, which obtained a copy of the investigation report. Trustee Ellen McAlpine first filed a written complaint in January with village officials regarding Trustee Jim Cosler's verbal harassment, which had been occurring for over a year and had become hostile in nature. In its investigative report, the law firm hired by the village called Cosler's behavior toward McAlpine “harassing, derogatory and unprofessional," the Northwest Herald reports.

The investigation found that among the hostile interactions was an exchange during a Dec. 19 meeting where Cosler told McAlpine "you disgust me, I can’t stand you. ... You are corrupt and immoral" and “I hate you and all of your Chamber friends," according to the Northwest Herald. Cosler claimed McAlpine and Mayor Mark Kownick had a conflict of interest and were violating the Illinois Public Officer Prohibitive Activities Act when they voted to OK grant funding for the chamber of commerce's Main Street Fest. Both McAlpine and Kownick are Chamber of Commerce members.

Attorney Lisa Callaway attempted to speak with Cosler during her investigation to get his side of the story but that interview never transpired, according to the article. Cosler refused to meet with her until he had a copy of McAlpine's complaint, a copy of the contract between the village and the firm, a copy of rules that govern the investigation and a copy of the village code he was accused of violating, the newspaper reports.

Meanwhile, Cosler says the village broke the law when it hired the law firm, claiming the went against a code that an administrator can't enter any contract without village board approval, according to the Northwest Herald.

“I want to get exonerated,” said Cosler, who is working with lawyers to have Callaway’s report rescinded. “I’m not this evil guy that’s out to get everybody."

More via the Northwest Herald

Photo caption: Jim Cosler/Photo credit: Village of Cary website