Pingree Grove finance director quits to take job in DeKalb

Pingree Grove has lost yet another village official the second time in 30 days.

Financial Director Laura Pisarcik resigned from the village Monday to take the same position in DeKalb, citing a desire to grow and to be closer to her family in Capron, near Belvidere.

“It's closer to home; it's a bigger town (with) more opportunities,” Pisarcik said.

She was making $72,875 a year in Pingree Grove; her last day is Jan. 5.

In DeKalb, Pisarcik will make roughly $89,000 a year, she said.

Pisarcik had worked in Pingree Grove for 3½ years and was responsible for developing budgets, paying bills, audits, bookkeeping and human resources.

She said she took on additional office duties after Village Clerk Michelle Figuerola resigned in mid-November, soon after a public dispute between Figuerola and Village President Wyman “Clint” Carey over whether she could work a second job during village hours.

Before coming to Pingree Grove, Pisarcik was director of finance in Cary.

The village now is looking to hire a part-time office assistant to deal with all the office work that has been spread out among the existing staff. That person will make between $9 and $12.50 an hour, depending on experience, and will help free up the staff so they can concentrate on their areas of expertise.

For now, interim Village Administrator Bill Barlow will deal with the budget until the village hires a replacement. He also is serving as interim village clerk.

As for bringing on a temporary village clerk until the election, Village President Wyman “Clint” Carey nominated Carol Peschke for the position earlier this month, but the board tabled the matter.

Peschke, the village's clerk from 1991 through 2006, said she later took herself out of the running for the job.

“I just decided I didn't want to do it,” she said.