News
Apr 09 2008
Oak Lawn to hire lobbyist
Oak Lawn [Illinois] trustees voted 5-1 Tuesday night to hire a federal lobbyist for $55,000 a year amid continued sniping between Trustee Jerry Hurckes, the sole dissenter, and the board majority.
Much of the discussion covered familiar ground. Trustee Tom Phelan again called on Hurckes to resign, citing allegations that he has violated U.S. House ethics rules. Hurckes, who denies the accusations, defended his efforts and those of his boss Rep. Dan Lipinski (D-Western Springs) to obtain federal funding for the village. His opponents reiterated their claim that despite his boasts, Hurckes has failed to bring home the bacon.
The board agreed to hire the lobbying firm originally recommended by village manager Larry Deetjen, Alcalde & Fay, which lobbied for Deerfield Beach, Fla., while he was city manager there. Trustee Robert Streit called the price a bargain, citing Deetjen's statement that the firm could bring back grants worth 20 times its fees.
In a new wrinkle, Streit suggested Lipinski should take action, presumably to remove Hurckes from his position as the congressman's Chicago-area chief of staff.
"It's time for our congressman to stand up and be a leader," he said.
Seizing on Hurckes' repeated use of the phrase "It was I" to tout his work at a previous meeting, Streit reeled off a list of accusations beginning "It was you."
"It was you that violated House ethics rules," he said.
Claiming that he had received hundreds of e-mails and phone calls of support, Hurckes said he planned to try to "stay above the fray" in the future.
"That'll be a refreshing change," Phelan commented when his turn to speak arrived.
"I thank you for your interest in my career," Hurckes later remarked.
Members of the majority again expressed frustration and bafflement about a $4.1 million earmark Lipinski placed in the 2005 federal transportation bill for the village. Deetjen expects the village will be able to use the money for street work and other transportation projects next year.
Heilmann read from a letter he sent to Lipinski last year, saying it was an example of the village's attempts to obtain approval to use the money. Trustee Alex Olejniczak said it was hard to understand why obtaining the money was so much more complicated than simply cashing a check.
"Do we have the funds?" he asked. Upon hearing the answer was no, he said, "That's the confusing part."
Phelan said he remained unconvinced that Hurckes hadn't tried to delay the process for his own political benefit.
Trustee Steve Rosenbaum, who remained silent while his colleagues assailed Hurckes at the board's last meeting, tried to put a stop to the dispute, asking Mayor Dave Heilmann to rule comments by Streit out of order. But Heilmann declined and Rosenbaum's attempt to appeal his ruling to the full board failed.
"I appreciate the efforts toward peace," Heilmann said.
Much of the discussion covered familiar ground. Trustee Tom Phelan again called on Hurckes to resign, citing allegations that he has violated U.S. House ethics rules. Hurckes, who denies the accusations, defended his efforts and those of his boss Rep. Dan Lipinski (D-Western Springs) to obtain federal funding for the village. His opponents reiterated their claim that despite his boasts, Hurckes has failed to bring home the bacon.
The board agreed to hire the lobbying firm originally recommended by village manager Larry Deetjen, Alcalde & Fay, which lobbied for Deerfield Beach, Fla., while he was city manager there. Trustee Robert Streit called the price a bargain, citing Deetjen's statement that the firm could bring back grants worth 20 times its fees.
In a new wrinkle, Streit suggested Lipinski should take action, presumably to remove Hurckes from his position as the congressman's Chicago-area chief of staff.
"It's time for our congressman to stand up and be a leader," he said.
Seizing on Hurckes' repeated use of the phrase "It was I" to tout his work at a previous meeting, Streit reeled off a list of accusations beginning "It was you."
"It was you that violated House ethics rules," he said.
Claiming that he had received hundreds of e-mails and phone calls of support, Hurckes said he planned to try to "stay above the fray" in the future.
"That'll be a refreshing change," Phelan commented when his turn to speak arrived.
"I thank you for your interest in my career," Hurckes later remarked.
Members of the majority again expressed frustration and bafflement about a $4.1 million earmark Lipinski placed in the 2005 federal transportation bill for the village. Deetjen expects the village will be able to use the money for street work and other transportation projects next year.
Heilmann read from a letter he sent to Lipinski last year, saying it was an example of the village's attempts to obtain approval to use the money. Trustee Alex Olejniczak said it was hard to understand why obtaining the money was so much more complicated than simply cashing a check.
"Do we have the funds?" he asked. Upon hearing the answer was no, he said, "That's the confusing part."
Phelan said he remained unconvinced that Hurckes hadn't tried to delay the process for his own political benefit.
Trustee Steve Rosenbaum, who remained silent while his colleagues assailed Hurckes at the board's last meeting, tried to put a stop to the dispute, asking Mayor Dave Heilmann to rule comments by Streit out of order. But Heilmann declined and Rosenbaum's attempt to appeal his ruling to the full board failed.
"I appreciate the efforts toward peace," Heilmann said.
