Hanover Park trustees, mayor battle at meeting

A heated battle over the compensation and appointment of Hanover Park's collector ensued at Thursday's board meeting.

In the end, 24-year-old Clerk Eira Corral got what Mayor Rod Craig wanted: the position formerly held by his wife and a starting salary of $48,000.

Trustee Lori Kaiser called it a patronage job while Trustee Toni Carter said the move didn't "pass the smell test for residents."

The position was reinstated last month but at a lower salary range than in years past. The board approved a pay range between $32,200 and $63,500 with the expectation Corral, a first-time elected official, would start at the low end.

On Thursday, Craig successfully lobbied for the collector to be deleted from any village-sanctioned pay scale. He said the mayor, with trustees' support, now appoints and oversees the position whereas the village manager used to have those responsibilities.

The board then voted 4-3, with Craig casting the deciding vote, to appoint Corral and set the annual salary at $48,000. That doesn't include the $3,500 she earns as clerk. Trustee Bill Cannon, who previously voted for the lower pay scale, didn't say why he now supported the higher amount.

Carter, who has a master's degree in human resources, said it was just the third time she disagreed with the mayor and questioned his qualifications to settle on the amount.

"I've been your only ally for the last 21/2 years," said Carter, named deputy mayor by Craig after April's election. "You went around this board."

Carter also lambasted Craig for not establishing exactly what duties Corral will have. Kaiser joined in, pointing to three pages detailing a new administrative job in the police department.

"I've never seen a person hired for a job without a job description," Carter said. "I'm not buying what you're selling, Mr. Mayor."

Craig stood by Corral, saying elected officials rarely come in with experience. He said she'd excel at new responsibilities such as coordinating special events, appearing on promotional videos and representing the village at functions.

"It's about the capability and skill to be able to perform," he said. "I think we have an exceptional individual."

Battle: Trustee questions mayor's qualifications to settle collector's salary