Hoffman Estates trustee voted from Japan

Trustee Gary Pilafas spent this week in Japan for his job, but that didn't prevent him from voting during Monday's Hoffman Estates board meeting.

Pilafas became the first Hoffman Estates trustee to call in and attend a board meeting virtually via cell phone. He was able to vote on matters -- including the raise on the village's water rates.

It was 10:40 a.m. on Tuesday in Japan when trustees called to adjourn the meeting at about 8:40 p.m. Monday in Hoffman Estates. But Pilafas still could not tell Village Manager James Norris about the future.

"Do I win the Lottery?" Norris joked.

It was a new experience, with Pilafas' voice crackling through the speaker. That may have been the reason Pilafas, who in recent weeks has been more vocal at meetings, did not offer any comments during trustee reports. Because Pilafas wasn't inside the chambers, state law required the board to have an individual voice vote instead of having all trustees cast their ayes or nays at the same time. That lengthened the meeting, which had a sparse agenda.

State law restricts the call-in option. Trustees won't be able to sit in their kitchen in their pajamas because trustees have to be a minimum distance from the village.

A few photos were taken of the board with employees who were recognized for their tenure.

"Smile Gary, you're taking a picture," Mayor William McLeod joked.