Village manager to leave Hanover Park

Marc Hummel's days as Hanover Park village manager are numbered after Mayor Rod Craig confirmed the two met Thursday afternoon about parting ways.

"We're going in a new direction," Craig said. "The election made it loud and clear that it's time to do things differently."

Hummel's ouster is expected to become official May 7 after the new village board takes shape. Once three new trustees are sworn in, they'll adjourn for a closed-door meeting to discuss the personnel move. Craig expects the group to then reconvene and vote on a separation agreement.

Hummel was still working at village hall Friday but could not be reached for comment.

Craig, who wouldn't reveal the details of the conversation, isn't in a rush to find Hummel's replacement. An interim manager is likely, he said.

Trustee and former mayoral candidate Lori Kaiser, soundly defeated by Craig in April's election, hadn't heard about the meeting. She doesn't agree with the decision to remove a man who's held the post for more than 30 years.

"Marc has served under other mayors and boards who had different styles," she said. "I'm not saying change is bad, but it's a shame (Craig) is doing this just because they butt heads."

Kaiser said Hummel, whose 2008 compensation package totaled more than $230,000, possesses good business sense and has kept Hanover Park afloat during the recession.

"His knowledge and experience would be helpful to get us through the next couple years," she said. "He's a great negotiator and forward thinker."

Kaiser hopes the next village manager isn't a "yes man," considering Craig will have a majority four votes. He's aligned with Trustee Toni Carter and ran on the same Progress Party slate as Trustees-elect Bill Cannon, Rick Roberts and Ed Zimel.

Hummel's firing is probably only the "tip of the iceberg," said Kaiser, who expects other village staff will be targeted.