McHenry County fires longtime planning director

Embattled McHenry County Planning and Development Director SuzAnne Ehardt has been fired, officials said Monday, ending weeks of speculation over her future as one of the county's most powerful voices on growth and conservation issues.

County Administrator Peter Austin confirmed the firing Monday, as did County Board Chairman Ken Koehler. Both declined comment on the reasoning behind it.

"I'm not going to comment, out of respect for it being a personnel matter," Austin said.

Ehardt had been criticized for her behavior at a meeting last month of the Regional Planning Commission, a citizen panel drafting the county's 2030 Land Use Plan. County residents who attended the May 8 meeting complained about Ehardt's behavior to the McHenry County Board 12 days later, claiming she bullied members of the public and launched "premeditated" attacks on meeting participants.

Her attorney, Mark Gummerson, said Ehardt is "shocked and disappointed" by the move.

"There is not one employee more dedicated to McHenry County than SuzAnne Ehardt," he said.

Ehardt has been a county employee for 29 years, the past 10 as its planning and development director. The $100,000-a-year position also made her the county's chief code enforcement officer.

Although a lawsuit is possible, Gummerson said Ehardt first will seek a post-deprivation hearing at which she will appeal her dismissal and challenge whether the county followed due process in firing her.

Austin confirmed Monday he had received Ehardt's request but said a hearing has not yet been scheduled.

A search for Ehardt's replacement is under way, Austin said. In the meantime, two current members of the planning and development staff will share Ehardt's former responsibilities.