New Island Lake trustees could take office May 12

Island Lake’s three trustees-elect likely will be sworn in at the board’s May 12 meeting, Mayor Debbie Herrmann said.

Chuck Cermak, Shannon Fox and Thea Morris will replace incumbents John Ponio, Don Saville and Don Verciglio on the board.

All three incumbents opted not to seek re-election April 5.

New board members typically take office in early May, following the springtime consolidated election. The first Island Lake board meeting of May is set for May 12.

Herrmann had discussed letting the board members take office earlier but is leaning against holding a special meeting because of the public costs that would be involved. Those costs include the meeting attendance payment for trustees and the village’s attorneys.

Herrmann will administer the oath of office to the new trustees. She said she’s eager to move the village forward with fresh ideas.

“I think there’s a lot of potential in the candidates who won,” she said. “I’m excited for what they’re going to bring to the table.”

Herrmann’s performance as mayor was a dividing line for the candidates and many voters during the election.

Six candidates, split into two slates, ran for the three seats.

Fox and Morris were part of a team that was largely critical of the mayor. Conversely, Cermak’s slate was endorsed by Herrmann.

Village leaders and residents are hopeful the new trustees can help bring peace to the board, which has been divided politically for several years, even before Herrmann was elected mayor in 2009.

Lately they’ve been fighting about efforts by four trustees to limit Herrmann’s powers, including her ability to hire or fire an attorney and the police chief.

Herrmann filed a lawsuit in Lake County circuit court over the matter, and this week she requested a temporary restraining order against the trustees to prevent them from taking action on the proposals.

Herrmann and the trustees named in the lawsuit — Saville, Ponio, Laurie Rabattini and Donna O’Malley — are discussing bringing in an impartial mediator to resolve the fight.

Cermak is excited about taking office.

“I’m ready to get in there,” he said. “Hopefully we can all work together.”

Fox admitted being nervous as the swearing-in looms ahead.

“Who isn’t nervous at the start of a new endeavor?” she said. “But I’m very excited. I’m looking forward to adding some sunshine to the proceedings at village hall.”

Morris said she wants the board to get started on the right foot, too. The three trustees-elect are discussing throwing a party — one at which politics would be left at the door — once they take office, she said.