Two ex-trustees appointed to Island Lake police commission
A pair of former Island Lake trustees on Thursday were appointed members of the village’s police commission.
Laurie Rabattini and Donna O’Malley were awarded two of the seats on the three-member panel. A third local resident, Arnold Epstein, also was appointed to the commission.
Police commissions oversee the interviews of prospective police officers as well as the hirings and firings of full-time officers.
Island Lake’s commission has met only rarely in recent years. Members get a stipend for attending meetings.
O’Malley was elected to the village board in 2009 but resigned in 2012 before her term ended this year. Initially a political ally of then-Mayor Debbie Herrmann, she switched sides in 2011, giving majority control of the board to a group of trustees critical of Herrmann.
Rabattini was part of that opposition group. She served a single term on the board, from 2009 to this past May.
Citing health concerns that kept her from many meetings, Rabattini didn’t run for a second term.
No information was immediately available about Epstein.
The commission previously consisted of residents Wolfgang Neumeier, Matthew Huff and Michael Blazincic.
By local ordinance, the police commission’s members have staggered terms.
Rabattini was appointed to a 1-year term, Epstein was given a 2-year term and O’Malley was appointed to a 3-year term.
Mayor Charles Amrich recommended the trio for the posts. The board voted on the nominations one by one.
The board unanimously approved Epstein’s appointment.
Trustees Shannon Fox and Thea Morris voted against O’Malley and Rabattini joining the commission, but the nominees had the support of the other four trustees.
Before the votes, Fox criticized Rabattini and O’Malley for poor attendance while they were trustees. Trustee Keith Johns defended O’Malley, who was in the audience, saying personal issues kept her from some meetings.
O’Malley didn’t comment during the board’s discussion.
Chosen: New panelists criticized for poor attendance as trustees