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Island Lake board votes to override vetoes

The Island Lake village board on Thursday night overrode several mayoral vetoes, but they may repeat the action next month because of a bureaucratic technicality.

In recent months, Mayor Debbie Herrmann has tried to veto several ordinances and amendments developed by the board majority that aim to reduce her executive powers or make personnel changes she opposes. Herrmann also has sued the four-member majority in Lake County circuit court to reinforce her standing.

The foursome — Laurie Rabattini, John Ponio, Don Saville and Donna O’Malley — had proposed overriding those vetoes, but the necessary votes were postponed from a prior meeting.

On Thursday, the overrides were considered in a single motion and passed 5-1. Trustee Connie Mascillino, a Herrmann political ally, cast the lone “no” vote.

Another long-standing Herrmann ally, Don Verciglio, was among the trustees who voted for the overrides.

However, the vote was taken during a committee-of-the-whole meeting and not a regular voting meeting, a distinction that held up similar decisions in the past.

As such, the board will vote on the issues again at the next regular board meeting, May 12, Saville said.

The overrides will allow the board to accomplish several goals, including:

Ÿ Hiring attorney David McArdle to represent their interests.

Ÿ Stopping payments to the law firm that had been representing the mayor and the village for many years, Ancel, Glink, Diamond, Bush, DiCianni and Krafthefer.

Ÿ Forcing Ancel Glink to transfer files on pending matters to the new law firm.

Ÿ Amending the part of the village code that defines the mayor’s duties.

Ÿ Reinstating a police officer who had been fired.