Colleagues Doubt LTHS Official's Conspiracy Theory

LA GRANGE, IL – Two Lyons Township High School board members expressed doubt earlier this year over a colleague's allegation that other entities conspired to stop the school's controversial plan to sell its Willow Springs land.

At the first of two closed sessions on Jan. 23, member Michael Thomas referred to what he called a conspiracy theory that involved the top bidder for the land, Bridge Industrial, and local public bodies. Patch reported on the first closed session last month, detailing Thomas' allegations.

After that session, the board held a public meeting, but closed its doors again afterward. Members resumed their private discussion about Thomas' theory.

He said the conspiracy against the school involved the village of Willow Springs, the village of McCook and the Lyons Township Treasurer's Office, which the school long battled in court. He did not say whether Willow Springs residents, who opposed selling the land to an industrial buyer, fit into the conspiracy.

"It's highly likely that there is some involvement with the (Township Treasurer's Office)," Thomas said in the second closed session. "I hate to be a conspiracist about this. But I don't think Bridge has been on the up and up at all because they led this board down the path that yes, yes, yes, go, go, go. And only a week ago, stop. And then (they say) we're pulling out. Now (they say) we want to be back in 24 hours later."

Then-board member Julie Swinehart questioned whether Bridge, a company with institutional investors across the country, would go along with such a conspiracy.

"I don't think they have time to deal with small-town politics," she said.

Thomas said that was Swinehart's opinion, but contended all the other entities are interconnected.

"You can take it how you want, and if something blows up, then don't say I didn't tell you," he said.

Member Jill Grech also questioned why Bridge would be involved in such a conspiracy.

"I don't fully understand what the motivation would be," she said.

Thomas replied, "OK, well, that's fine. I tried to tell you."

In June, the attorney general ordered the school board to release the recordings, saying members broke the law by closing the doors.

After Patch reported on the conspiracy theory, a resident who was critical of the board in some ways credited Thomas' theory during public comments at a meeting. And an online commenter who consistently defends the board on Patch's website chastised Patch for failing to investigate to see whether the theory was true.

Thomas himself did not return a message for comment from Patch last month. Representatives of the other public bodies denounced the conspiracy theory.

Willow Springs residents opposed the sale of the land to an industrial buyer, saying such uses violated local zoning. Willow Springs, Pleasantdale School District 107, Pleasant Dale Park District and four other towns protested the planned sale.

In March, the board abandoned the effort to sell the property.

See other stories based on the recordings of the closed-door meetings on Jan. 23:

• LTHS Official Alleges Conspiracy Against School
• Did Election Sway LTHS Board On Willow Springs?
• LTHS Admission: Sale Would Hurt Neighbors
• Official Calls LTHS Comments 'Ignorant'
• LTHS Slams Village Behind Closed Doors
• Did LTHS Mislead The Public On Willow Springs?