Ousted Villa Park village manager to receive $122K

Villa Park will pay its former village manager, Richard Keehner, a lump sum of $122,866 as part of a separation agreement the village board approved Monday night.

Trustees unanimously approved the separation agreement with Keehner, who was terminated in December by the board in a 4-3 vote.

The separation agreement was crafted to resolve any disputes related to the application of the terms of Keehner's employment agreement, which was last updated in April 2021.

In exchange for the separation payment, Keehner has agreed to release all claims against Villa Park. The deal constitutes a compromise and a resolution of disputes related to benefits.

"We worked hard to get an independent attorney to review the contract and the separation agreement," Trustee Jack Kozar said. "I'm glad that, although it took a little bit of time, we did do that."

Keehner officially was terminated "without cause" as allowed in his at-will employment agreement. At the time, several trustees alluded to clashes in terms of transparency, accountability and management style.

Keehner, who had served as village manager since 2011, oversaw the village's day-to-day operations.

After the board's vote in December, he was on a 60-day paid administrative leave, which ended on Feb. 19.

Public Works Director Michael Guerra has been serving as interim village manager.

While Villa Park has hired an employment firm to find a new village manager, Trustee Deepasriya Kumar expressed a desire for extra input.

"I would like to see there to be a special meeting which involves the board and any of the public who want to be involved in deciding upon a process of coming up with a new manager," Kumar said.