Gavin District 37 school board member quits after appointment to regional sanitary district board

Gavin Elementary Elementary District 37 Trustee James Miller has resigned to take a spot on the board of the Lakes Region Sanitary District.

Additionally, Miller no longer is campaigning for the April 7 election. His name still will appear on ballots, however, officials said, because it's too late to remove it.

Miller said he quit the school board and dropped out of the race because of a legal conflict of interest between the two local government posts. Gavin is within the sanitary district and pays bills for sewer services, he said.

Miller said the Lake County state's attorney's office recommended he resign from the school board because of the conflict.

Sanitary board members aren't elected. They're appointed by the Lake County Board.

It was a county board member that raised the question of conflict, State's Attorney Michael Nerheim said.

"We responded to an inquiry from a county board member regarding his appointment and it was determined that there would be a conflict with him holding a position on both boards," Nerheim said.

Miller said he gave his resignation letter to board President Stan Pasiewicz on Wednesday after he was appointed to the sanitary district board.

Miller said it was difficult to choose between the two agencies.

"I looked at a lot of pros and cons," he said. "How many times do you get appointed by the county? I thought that was an honor."

Miller's departure from the District 37 school board race leaves three candidates for three seats with 4-year terms. The candidates are incumbents Joe Loffredo and David Zipp and newcomer Jennifer Meyer.

No candidates are running to fill two seats with 2-year terms.