La Grange Official's Hiring Powers Debated
LA GRANGE, IL – Some La Grange trustees on Monday leaned against a proposal to give the village manager the sole power to hire two top officials.
The village is updating its codes. As part of that, the staff recommended giving the manager the authority to hire the directors of community development and public works.
Now, the manager recommends candidates for the positions, but the Village Board has the final say.
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Trustee Beth Augustine said she liked the board having a say.
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“They seem like critical positions,” Augustine said. “I’m wondering after 100-some years why we’re changing it… I don’t like taking power away from the board.”
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Manager Jack Knight said the updates to the code reflect modern practices. Decades ago, he said, most towns handled such hirings with the involvement of their elected officials.
“If you find it’s not in the best interest of the village, then that’s what we want to hear at this stage,” Knight said.
Trustees Lou Gale and Peggy Peterson said they leaned toward the board keeping its power.
Whatever the case, the board would continue to vote on the appointments of the finance director and the police and fire chiefs.
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