La Grange Trustee Resigns, Cites Conflict

LA GRANGE, IL – La Grange Trustee Mike Matteucci resigned last week, saying he had a perceived conflict of interest on the flooding issue.

At Monday’s Village Board meeting, Village President Mark Kuchler announced Matteucci’s resignation. Matteucci had only been a trustee for a couple of months, having run unopposed in the April election.

Kuchler read Matteucci’s resignation letter to the board. The letter was dated July 6, with his departure effectively immediately.

In the letter, Matteucci noted he was a member of the La Grange Country Club, which many have blamed for contributing to flooding on La Grange’s south side.

“This poses a perceived conflict of interest that is not in the best interest of the village or its residents,” Matteucci said.

He said he disagreed that the country club was among the primary causes of flooding near Spring Avenue and 50th Street and surrounding areas.

Rather, he said the problem is regional and that the topography of the area means that water flows from west to east into the village neighborhoods just east of the country club.

“If anything, the open green space, impermeable area that the country club naturally provides is a buffer and a benefit to the village, without which the flooding problems would likely be worse,” Matteuci said in the letter.

He noted recent discussions in which the country club would build a berm along Brainard Avenue to hold more water for a few hours. While he said such an improvement would be worthwhile, the most important solution is a sewer line along 50th Street, going through the Hanson Aggregates quarry in McCook.

“This is why the litigation with Hanson quarry is so important,” he said.

At the same time, Matteucci said his position on the country club’s role was problematic.

“Given my membership at the club and the opinions I have identified here, it has become clear over the past few days that this perceived conflict of interest will distract and detract from the work that you and the board continue to do to address this essential issue,” he said.

Matteucci has been considered a leader on the flooding issue for years. He is credited with playing a key role in getting a referendum passed in 2015 for drainage improvements.

At Monday's meeting, Kuchler said he tried to change Matteucci’s mind, but the trustee thought it through.

“I do not believe that being a member of the country club is a conflict,” Kuchler said. “I don’t think it should be perceived as a conflict.”

Matteucci's resignation was a little more than a week after flooding impacted many residents on the south side.

Kuchler urged those interested in being appointed to fill the vacancy to email him at mkuchler@villageoflagrange.com.