Irregular and Unsupported Action by Shields Township Supervisor Maloney

Dear Residents of Shields Township,

The most recent meeting of the Shields Township Board occurred on Thursday, September 25th, 2014.  During that meeting, Trustee Laura Carney submitted her resignation letter.  Trustee Carney’s planned resignation was known only to her, Shields Township Supervisor Cynthia Maloney and, sometime later, the Township’s longtime attorney.  The remaining balance of the Board became aware only 2 days prior by the way of rumor.  No advance notice was given by either Trustee Carney or Supervisor Maloney.

WHY IS THIS SIGNIFICANT?  It has since been learned that Supervisor Maloney knew of the intended resignation in mid-August 2014.  At that time, she sought legal opinion from the Township Attorney.  He (the Township Attorney) advised her that vacancies in office are filled (per Illinois law) in accordance with the statute 60 ILCS 5/60-5, which reads in part:  “The Township Board has the responsibility for filling the vacancy.  The procedure to be used in terms of notifying the public of the vacancy, requesting applications and holding interviews is up to the board.”  The Township Attorney further recommended that the media be notified.

Supervisor Maloney followed none of the guidelines in the statute (law) and further disregarded the Township Attorney’s recommendation.  Rather, she sought input solely from resigning Trustee Carney and a former non-voting member of the Shields Township Board.

RESULT:  During the course of the September 25th Board meeting, Supervisor Maloney announced who she and her ‘advisors’ had selected as Trustee Carney’s replacement.  This was the first time she shared the name of said replacement with 2 of 3 Trustees.  Both Trustees Heather Kerr and Richard Goshgarian were excluded from Supervisor Maloney’s irregular actions.  Trustee Bill Brown learned of the chosen replacement only the day prior.

Over Trustees Kerr and Goshgarian’s vigorous objections, Supervisor Maloney motioned for a vote on the replacement.  By a 3-0 vote, she had her, former Trustee Carney’s and a former (non-voting) member of the Township Board hand-selected replacement.   Once her objective to force a rushed vote was accomplished, Trustees Kerr & Goshgarian abstained.

WHAT IS KNOWN about your NEW Shields Township Trustee?  For the past 3 weeks, information has been repeatedly requested of Supervisor Maloney, i.e., a biography, a resume, curriculum vitae...something, anything at all.  As of this writing, all requests have been ignored.

Within Township government, and the Supervisor’s office, following proper procedure, and law, is crucial to the vitality of this current administration.  Without it, other potential irregularities in any of Shields  Township’s other functions (the Assessor’s office or the Highway Department) may be emboldened.

Shields Township Trustees Richard Goshgarian and Heather Kerr