Indian Trails library director resigns

The director of the Indian Trails Public Library in Wheeling has abruptly resigned.

Thomas Simiele, who has been director since September 2009, submitted his resignation to the library’s board of trustees on Wednesday.

That was a day after voters in the library district, which includes Wheeling, Buffalo Grove, Prospect Heights and Arlington Heights, approved a tax rate increase for library renovations.

Simiele couldn’t be reached for comment Friday.

Library spokesman Earl Sabes said he was unsure why Simiele stepped down, and didn’t even find out himself until he came into work Thursday morning.

Board President Gene Looft couldn’t be reached.

Board Vice President Henry Hackney said Friday, “It didn’t work out. He resigned.” He declined to discuss the matter further, referring a reporter to a library news release.

Simiele had applied for the library director position at the Saugus Public Library in Massachusetts but withdrew his name from consideration last month, according to The Daily Item newspaper of Lynn, Mass.

Local activist Rob Sherman filed a complaint last week with the Illinois Board of Elections that accused library officials of improperly promoting the referendum online and via mailings. Simiele had previously told the Daily Herald that attorneys had looked over the materials before they were sent out and believed everything was done to the letter of the law.

Simiele was formerly deputy director of the Euclid Public Library in Euclid, Ohio, and director of the Bristol Public Library and Museum in Bristolville, Ohio. He also has practiced law for more than 25 years and once served as the general counsel for the Cleveland City School District.

Meanwhile, Indian Trails officials announced Friday that Michael Madden will serve as interim director until a permanent director is selected. His first day is Monday.

Madden served as director of the Schaumburg Township District Library for 41 years.