Island Lake mayor defends trustee accused of battery

Island Lake Mayor Tom Hyde said the battery charges filed against a village trustee accused of hitting a resident after a contentious public meeting this week are "totally stimulated by politics."

Hyde, who is not running for re-election April 7, said he believes the charges against Trustee Rich Garling are a result of a grudge between political groups. He said Garling should not resign from the village board and added Garling most likely didn't hit Gina Meeks as he is accused.

"I've never seen him strike anybody and I don't believe he harmed her in any way," said Hyde, who was at the meeting Tuesday but didn't see the incident. "I feel bad Mr. Garling will have to go through all of these things with the charges, but I think the determination of whether he did something wrong is what the courts are for."

Garling is accused of striking Meeks - the wife of former trustee candidate David Meeks - after a heated election board meeting at village hall.

Police Chief Tony Sciarrone said Gina Meeks complained Garling struck her in the back after she called him "stupid." Garling posted $100 bond and is free on bail awaiting trial.

Sciarrone said police have statements from three people who claim they witnessed the attack.

Hyde believes Garling's political opponents embellished the situation after Garling successfully challenged David Meeks' nominating petitions and had him thrown off the ballot.

"I believe the charges as presented are totally wrong and were totally stimulated by politics," Hyde said.

Meeks said he will now run as a write-in candidate in the election, which fields six people vying for three trustee seats.

Garling is not on the April 7 ballot and has two years left on his trustee term.

Hyde also said he does not believe Garling should resign, and no one should ask for his resignation until after the criminal complaint has run its course.

"I would not leave my position, and feel no one should leave their position without proper representation in a court of law," he said.

Hyde is facing criminal charges of forgery and official misconduct for a separate incident in which he used white correction fluid to change a proprietor's name on a liquor license. He said he is fighting those charges and expects to be found not guilty.

Battery: Mayor doesn't think trustee should resign