District 122 Board Must Pay Member's Legal Fees: Judge

New Lenox District 122 has been ordered to pay the legal fees of Board of Education member Maureen Broderick.

The judgment is the latest in a series of legal blows between Broderick, board member Kathy Miller and the board.

In March 2013, District 122 board member Kathy Miller filed a Federal Civil Rights suit against fellow board member Maureen Broderick arising out of an alleged ballot dispute. Broderick won in federal court, and Miller’s suit was dismissed.

In May 2014, Broderick presented District 122 with a bill for her legal defense which the District is required to pay under Illinois law. The board—calling the work by Broderick’s attorney “redundant”—voted 4-3 against paying Broderick’s legal bills, with Miller casting the tie breaking “No” vote.

Broderick sued District 122 in the Will County Circuit Court seeking $5,787.30 in legal fees she incurred defending against Miller’s civil rights claim. Both Broderick and District 122 had their day in court on October 2. The Court found the fees reasonable and necessary and applying the State Statute, Judgment was entered against District 122 for the full amount of Broderick’s claim.

Broderick stated that she is, “delighted with the Judges ruling”.

“Miller’s baseless civil rights suit and the doard’s refusal to pay for my legal defense has unnecessarily cost New Lenox School District 122 and the tax payers thousands of dollars,” Broderick said in a release. “I look forward to putting this in the past and getting back to the Districts primary role, educating our children.”