Operational Issues With Hinsdale Fire Department?

HINSDALE, IL — The Hinsdale Village Board voted Tuesday for an "independent evaluation" by a Chicago law firm, but officials did not say what it was for. The board approved spending up to $60,000 for the inquiry.

In an interview Wednesday, Brad Bloom, the village's assistant manager, said the firm is evaluating the fire department.

"Some operational questions came to light," said Bloom, who is also the public safety director. "We thought we would benefit from an independent review. There are no allegations at this time against any particular member of the organization. There are no integrity issues."

Last month, Village Manager Kathleen Gargano retained the services of attorney Eric Pruitt from Cotsirilos, Tighe, Streicker, Poulos and Campbell, LT. The expense was authorized under the manager's budget authority, which is limited to $20,000 per item. So she had to get approval from the board to exceed that amount.

According to the law firm's website, Pruitt focuses his practice on white-collar criminal defense, assistance to management in conducting internal investigations and responding to governmental investigations, and complex commercial litigation.

Pruitt's experience as a former assistant U.S. attorney "uniquely qualifies" him to represent clients in all aspects of grand jury and regulatory investigations and in criminal and civil trials, the website said.

Because a lawyer is handling the investigation, the village may be able to keep the findings secret in the face of a public records request, citing the confidentiality of attorney-client privilege. It may be hard-pressed to keep the results secret otherwise.

Patch obtained documents earlier this year showing that the U.S. Justice Department has opened a civil rights investigation into Hinsdale's handling of fair housing issues.