Mundelein mayor seeks to fire plan commissioner but won't say why until Monday
Mundelein Mayor Steve Lentz wants village trustees to fire a longtime member of the town's planning and zoning commission - but he won't publicly say why.
Lentz said he's asked veteran commissioner Ray Ladewig to resign three times because of a concern he won't acknowledge until a public hearing on the matter Monday night.
Ladewig has refused to step down, so Lentz is set to air his grievances publicly at the hearing set for 6:30 p.m. at the village hall, 300 Plaza Circle. Lentz has requested Ladewig be jettisoned from the commission, which advises the village board on proposed construction developments, land uses and related topics.
The hearing will be followed by a 7 p.m. village board meeting at which trustees could vote to fire Ladewig.
Following the advice of the village's attorney, Lentz on Thursday said he wouldn't explain why he's targeting Ladewig, who has been a plan commissioner for more than a decade. Lentz said Ladewig knows the reasons.
"Between now and then, it would be unfair to try this in the media," Lentz told the Daily Herald. "I'm adhering to the principles of fairness."
Ladewig couldn't be reached for comment. In other media reports, Ladewig has said the dispute stems from a letter he wrote to the Daily Herald that was published in December.
In that missive, Ladewig suggested term limits should be enacted for village staffers "directly responsible for the economic development of our community."
Ladewig also wrote of the need to jump-start the economy in Mundelein, and he suggested funding a team of "economic development salespeople" with money reserved for the proposed relocation of a creek on the village's south side.
Lentz declined to say if that letter was behind his effort to sack Ladewig.
"Because I and the trustees are the deciders in this situation, we cannot comment as to the reasons for my request until the hearing itself," Lentz said.
Plan commissioners are appointed by the village board based on recommendations from the mayor.
Under state law, a public hearing and a vote by the board are required to fire a plan commissioner.
Ladewig will be able to make a statement at the hearing, Lentz said.
When asked about the controversy, Village Administrator John Lobaito said Lentz "has lost confidence in Mr. Ladewig's ability to serve on the planning and zoning commission."
Lobaito declined to comment further.
Lentz said he's spoken to Ladewig three times by telephone about the dispute. They have not met face-to-face on the matter, Lentz said, although both were at a public forum about the town's economic outlook earlier this week.