Split vote gives Mount Prospect administrator $200,000 to leave
Mount Prospect will pay outgoing Village Administrator Michael Janonis his salary until mid-September, as well as an additional lump sum payment and other compensation that together could total more than $200,000, under a separation agreement the village board approved Wednesday night.
The vote at village hall was close, 3-2 in favor of the separation agreement, with trustees Paul Hoefert, John Matuszak and Steven Polit supporting the measure, while trustees Michael Zadel and A. John Korn voted against. Trustee Richard Rogers was absent.
The agreement, obtained by the Daily Herald through a Freedom of Information request, lays out the terms for Janonis' departure from the village, which he's served as administrator since 1992. Janonis has been on leave since November under the Family and Medical Leave Act for unspecified reasons.
Mayor Arlene Juracek confirmed Wednesday that the board asked Janonis to leave.
“Basically we assessed our current situation as an organization and decided that it was time for new leadership in the face of a lot of the challenges we have,” she said. “This was more from our side. In our assessment, we would be better servants of the village if we turned to new leaders.”
Zadel said his vote was cast “not because I think it is an unfair agreement” but because “I don't believe that change is necessary in our management and leadership at this time.”
Korn provided some insight into Janonis' viewpoint, about which Janonis himself has remained silent.
“I do not believe the village of Mount Prospect will be better off without him,” Korn said. “I believe he wants his job, and he should keep it.”
Janonis did not return calls for comment on Wednesday morning.
But the prevailing view was expressed by Juracek.
“The board has made a difficult decision to pursue new staff leadership to address the massive challenges all municipalities face as the state of Illinois attempts to right a sinking ship,” she said.
She said the village was conscious of the outcry from taxpayers after a more than $750,000 buyout the College of DuPage gave outgoing President Robert Breuder earlier this year.
“In crafting the separation agreement, the board and Mr. Janonis' representatives had the important task of crafting an appropriate transition arrangement for Mr. Janonis, while also recognizing taxpayers' concerns that the terms not be perceived as inappropriately generous,” Juracek said.
Juracek said a broad search will be conducted for his replacement. In the interim, Assistant Village Manager David Strahl will continue as acting village manager.
During the lengthy discussion, which involved members of the audience, Hoefert took issue with the suggestion of one resident that Janonis had been fired.
“Mr. Janonis is not being fired. He is separating from the village. There is a big difference,” he said.
Janonis received his salary for a period of time while on leave, but that time period expired and he had been drawing on his accrued personal time.
Under the terms of the deal, the village will pay Janonis a bi-weekly salary of $7,105.70 through Sept. 18. The village then will pay Janonis a lump sum of $92,373.50 — equal to half his annual salary — on Sept. 24.
The agreement states the village will place another $15,000 into a deferred compensation account between now and Sept. 18, money Janonis could receive Sept. 24, if certain conditions are met.
The separation deal also indicates that Janonis is leaving with 241.75 hours of accrued personal, sick and/or vacation time, valued at $22,905. That money, according to the agreement, will be placed in a retirement health savings account for Janonis.
Janonis will continue to receive health insurance coverage through the village until the end of September, while having $87.75 deducted from his bi-weekly payments to cover his share of the premium costs, the deal states.
Both the village and Janonis agree to waive any possible legal claims against the other, the deal states, and Janonis agrees not to make any disparaging statements or communications about the village, his employment or any village employees or officials.
Juracek said the board will move quickly to replace Janonis after newly elected Trustee Colleen Saccotelli is sworn in early in May.
The Mount Prospect village board will listen to public comment before it discusses and votes on the separation agreement during Wednesday night's meeting, which begins at 7 p.m. at village hall, 50 S. Emerson St., Mount Prospect.
• Daily Herald Staff Writer Steve Zalusky contributed to this report