Resolution and questions of credibility will be allowed at Hyde trial

A Lake County judge ruled Wednesday that an Island Lake village board resolution seemingly designed to undercut the criminal charges against a politically-connected employee can be used at her upcoming trial on theft charges.

Circuit Judge Fred Foreman also said in his ruling he will allow prosecutors to challenge the resolution in support of Sharon Hyde with any evidence they have that may cause the jury to question the resolution's credibility.

Hyde, the wife of former Island Lake mayor Thomas Hyde, is charged with collecting more than $100,000 in pay for hours she did not work as director of a village-run day care center.

On May 11, just two days after Foreman refused to dismiss the charges against her, the village board adopted a resolution declaring she was a salaried employee not subject to accounting for the hours she worked.

Hyde, who still holds her position with the village, is accused of collecting the money between 1999 and last year while director of the Creative Playtime Preschool.

Defense attorneys Charles and Brian Smith of Waukegan claim the resolution absolves Hyde of any criminal activity.

But Assistant State's Attorney Christen Bishop argues the resolution is a sham created by Hyde's supporters on the board and is an attempt to change the law after the crime was committed.

Foreman said Wednesday he will allow the Smiths to present the resolution to the jury in Hyde's trial, now scheduled to begin Jan. 24, and argue it establishes Hyde's employment status with the village.

But he said he will also allow Bishop to present evidence, such as the years of time cards Hyde filled out purporting to record the hours she worked, in an effort to convince the jury Hyde was an hourly-paid employee.

Hyde, who is charged with theft of government property and official misconduct, faces a mandatory prison sentence of six to 30 years if convicted in the case.