Homer Glen Board Overrides Veto, Appoints Legislative Counsel

HOMER GLEN, IL — The Homer Glen Village Board overrode Mayor George Yukich's veto and approved an ordinance creating the position of legislative counsel, appointing Odelson, Sterk, Murphey, Frazier and McGrath, Ltd. to the position.

The board first approved the ordinance in a 5-1 vote at its July 28 meeting. Trustee Beth Rodgers was the sole 'no' vote at that time.

At the Aug. 25 board meeting, Yukich vetoed the ordinance, citing concerns of higher costs and conflicts of interest. Odelson, Sterk, Murphey, Frazier and McGrath currently represent Homer Township, and township supervisor Steve Balich has stated he is considering another lawsuit with the Village over the road district.

To override the mayor's veto, the board needed a two-thirds vote to approve the ordinance. The ordinance passed 4-2, with trustees Nicole La Ha and Rodgers voting no.

La Ha, who had previously voted to approve the ordinance, said she still completely agreed that the creating the position of legislative counsel was needed for the board.

"I'm not fully in agreement to just appoint a firm when we haven't gone through the due diligence process and the hiring process that we are trying to be transparent about," she said.

She asked for an amendment to the ordinance so that it could be separated into two parts, one creating the position and the second appointing a firm to the position, but the amendment failed in a 2-4 vote.

The ordinance will now go into effect.

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