Sugar Grove trustee spot to stay open

Melisa Taylor's spot on the Sugar Grove village board might remain open until April.

Village President Sean Michels has decided not to appoint anyone to serve the remainder of Taylor's term.

“I believe it is best left filled by the voters,” Michels said.

Taylor resigned this week, since she was elected in November to the Kane County Board.

Michels said he sees no pressing need to fill the post, given the few months remaining in the term and the lack of contentious topics coming before the board. He also said there is a “steep learning curve” for new trustees, and that if that person should not be elected in April, “it is all for naught.”

State law requires the president to appoint a replacement within 60 days. But, Michels said, there isn't a penalty for not doing so, as far as he and the village's lawyer can find.

He's not the first president in Kane County to apparently disobey the vacancy law. Lake in the Hills President Ed Plaza has refused to appoint a replacement for a trustee who died in June. An attorney for the state board of elections disagreed with Plaza's interpretation of the state law, but said the board had no intention of intervening and that there was no consequence or penalty.

Sugar Grove residents running for election April 5 will file nomination petitions starting Monday through Dec. 20. There are three trustee positions up for election. If only three people file for election, Michels said, he might go ahead and appoint one of them to the board now.