Lyons Township Kiss Quarrel May End Up In Court

COUNTRYSIDE, IL – A Cook County Board candidate threatened Tuesday to sue Lyons Township, alleging her opponent failed to release public records.

Republican Liz Gorman was speaking about the township's elected clerk, Democrat Elyse Hoffenberg.

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Also at the meeting, the township's elected supervisor, Christopher Getty, said Hoffenberg's accusation that he was surveilling her was "completely false and without merit."

The township board held its monthly meeting to a standing-room-only crowd. It followed a video that Hoffenberg released publicly late last month.

Lyons resident Frank Perlongo speaks Tuesday in favor of Christopher Getty, mayor of Lyons and Lyons Township's supervisor. Meanwhile, two people argued in the audience. A Cook County sheriff's officer was on hand. (David Giuliani/Patch)

The footage showed Bridgeview Mayor Steve Landek, a former Democratic state senator, kissing Hoffenberg for a couple of seconds in the clerk's office after hours.

She disclosed the video to the media after Gorman filed a request for footage on that evening and another around the same time.

Hoffenberg described the kiss as a "peck" and said that she immediately told Landek it was inappropriate, for which he apologized.

'Taxpayers may have to pay'

During the meeting, Gorman said Hoffenberg has not released video footage to her. (See video of her comments) She said Hoffenberg should have recused herself because of her own involvement and had someone else handle the requests.

She also said she had not received any of her requests for financial information from the township's Mental Health Commission, where Hoffenberg is president.

Gorman said her lawyer was preparing legal action against the township.

After releasing the video, Hoffenberg publicly stated that her political opponents tried to extort her regarding the video. She said they would drop their threats if she ended her campaign.

Gorman called the allegation defamatory, saying neither she nor her campaign had spoken with Hoffenberg, let alone attempted extortion.

"This could have all been avoided by doing your job, following the law and producing the records," Gorman said. "Instead, taxpayers may have to pay the price for Clerk Hoffenberg's poor decisions."

In response to a Patch inquiry Wednesday, Gorman said the camera angle that Hoffenberg released was the "least incriminating." She said she understands more incriminating, undisclosed footage exists from the two requested days.

Before Hoffenberg released the footage to the media, three of the four township board members called an emergency meeting to hire a third party to investigate alleged surveillance and political retaliation. It was canceled shortly beforehand.

'Political attacks'

At the beginning of Tuesday's meeting, Getty responded to Hoffenberg's contention that he surveilled her and downloaded footage that was never released. (See video of Getty and Hoffenberg)

When the township received Gorman's requests, Getty said he urged Hoffenberg to comply. He said the emergency meeting was called under "false pretenses" and appropriately canceled.

Getty said Hoffenberg's assertions against him were a "complete fabrication."

"The clerk has chosen to manufacture procedural drama, promote baseless theories and launch political attacks against my office and the dedicated professionals who serve here at the township," said Getty, who is also the mayor of the village of Lyons.

Hoffenberg smiled at times during Getty's speech.

Afterward, it was her turn to give a monthly report. She spoke about ways that she said her office serves the public. Later, she had the Mental Health Commission present its programs.

During the meeting, the township's lawyer, Burt Odelson, confirmed the township had received a letter from an attorney to preserve evidence.

Hoffenberg said her attorney was on hand, but Getty wouldn't let the lawyer speak.

In a statement to Patch on Wednesday, Hoffenberg said she would not be "bullied" out of the race.

"I followed and am following all FOIA rules and all laws. You FOIA me, and you know I am transparent. I released the video in full," she said. "I filed a police report in this matter with the La Grange Police Department."

'Been there. Many women have'

During the meeting, residents spoke out about Getty and Hoffenberg.

Larryann Aaron spoke up for Hoffenberg. She said she did not know the clerk personally, but had witnessed the clerk's programs.

"I found myself very appreciative of those opportunities because I saw that she looked through a lens of fairness," Aaron said. "I appreciate someone who takes the time to step back and recognize that this is a diverse village or township."

Resident Larryann Aaron on Tuesday praises Elyse Hoffenberg, Lyons Township's clerk. She was among several speakers at the township board meeting. (David Giuliani/Patch)

A La Grange resident, Jane Yount, called Hoffenberg an "amazing public servant." She said she saw the video earlier that day.

"I looked at your body language. Been there. Many women have," Yount said. "I was younger and more attractive then."

'He is an honest man'

Frank Perlongo, who lives in the village of Lyons, focused on Getty's service in the village, saying he had known the Getty family for more than three decades.

"This man is a good man. He is an honest man. He works his ass off for the city of Lyons," Perlongo said. "Lyons is a good town. People live in peace. The streets are clean. Things work in that town, and it's because of that man."

As Perlongo spoke, a couple of people argued in the background. It got so loud that Perlongo stopped.

During the disturbance, Getty asked for a motion to adjourn. The board then voted to end the meeting. Hoffenberg quickly collected the officials' nameplates.

A Cook County sheriff's officer was on hand and watched the argument, which quieted down. A Countryside police officer showed up minutes later.

Afterward, Getty told Patch he did not know how Gorman was able to pick the day that the kiss occurred.