Naperville Park District changes legal counsel

The Naperville Park District parted ways with its longtime legal counsel Thursday.

Commissioners unanimously voted to hire the Ancel Glink law firm to replace Brooks, Adams and Tarulis.

Board President Mike Reilly said Ancel Glink offers a broader scope of services and the board also liked that it has an office not only in Naperville but in Springfield. The firm also represents about 30 other park districts.

"We felt there would be some economies of scale where some work that had been done that might benefit other park districts might benefit ours," Reilly said.

He expects the switch to ultimately save the park district money.

Reilly said investigating other firms was a matter of "due diligence."

"Periodically you review the relationships, the vendors you're working with to make sure you're providing the best representation for the taxpayers of the district at the best price," he said.

A committee put together a request for proposals that garnered six responses this past spring. The park district eventually whittled it down to two - Brooks, Adams and Tarulis and Ancel Glink.

"There was very strong consideration, very strong feeling on the part of the commissioners for the work Brooks, Adams and Tarulis has done for the park district through the years and their history with the park district," Reilly said.

Ultimately though, after interviewing the Ancel Glink firm, commissioners felt it would be the best fit.

Steve Adams, who has been the principal attorney for the park district since the mid-1990s, expressed his disappointment about the decision.

"Brooks Adams and Tarulis is incredibly proud of our roughly 40-year association with the Naperville Park District," Adams said. "We're disappointed in the board's decision, but we wish the park district the best of luck as it meets the challenges of the future. And to all of our friends at the park district we say thank you for their support and good will."