Head of Island Lake recreation department charged in bar fight

Island Lake's recreation department administrator is facing misdemeanor battery charges following a fight at a local bar, police said Monday.

Karen L. Luebbers, 50, of the 400 block of Rose Avenue in Island Lake, was placed on unpaid administrative leave after the Dec. 30 arrest, Mayor Debbie Herrmann said.

Herrmann called Luebbers' arrest “unfortunate for the village.”

When contacted by the Daily Herald by telephone on Monday, Luebbers hung up without comment.

Luebbers was arrested at her home about two weeks after a local woman went to the police station and reported she had been in a fight with Luebbers, police reports indicate.

The victim reported the fight Dec. 15. It occurred about 10 p.m. Dec. 10 at the Fan Club Sports Bar and Grill, 213 E. State Road, reports indicate.

Security video of the incident later revealed Luebbers was the aggressor, Police Chief William McCorkle said.

Luebbers was released on a personal recognizance bond following her arrest. She is scheduled to appear in Lake County court on Jan. 31.

Village leaders consulted with their attorney before Luebbers was put on leave, Trustee Connie Mascillino said. Mascillino declined to comment further.

Luebbers' duties will be handled by the recreation department staff, Herrmann said. Her departure shouldn't affect programming, Herrmann said.

Luebbers' arrest is the latest black eye for the village administration.

In 2009, former Mayor Thomas Hyde and his wife, Sharon, were arrested following an investigation into possible ghost payrolling in the village.

Thomas Hyde was cleared of the charges against him, but the case against Sharon Hyde is going to court.

Sharon Hyde remains employed by the village as director of the village's Creative Playtime preschool. The facility is part of the recreation department.

Also in 2009, Thomas Hyde was found not guilty of forgery and official misconduct in an unrelated matter from 2008.

Additionally, a different ex-mayor, Charles Amrich, and ex-village clerk Christine Becker were arrested in 2007 and charged with official misconduct following an investigation into village fuel purchases and vehicle maintenance.

The cases against Amrich and Becker have not been resolved.