Suit stirs flap over projects

Carpentersville Village President Bill Sarto says the village should put a pair of controversial projects on hold indefinitely, in light of a $30 million lawsuit recently filed against the village and two employees.

Trustees accused Sarto of acting unilaterally -- like a king instead of a mayor.

Sarto said Tuesday he asked the village manager and attorney to stop drafting a proposed vehicle impound law. He also said he would not appoint members to the Carpentersville Improvement Committee at an upcoming board meeting because, he says, both proposals "whiff of discrimination."

"We don't want to send any more shock waves into the community that could lead people to believe that we are doing anything that could be considered discriminatory," Sarto said.

In July, trustees in a 4-3 vote ordered the drafting of an ordinance that would compel police officers to impound cars of motorists driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs or without a valid license or insurance.

Under the proposed law, drivers also would pay the village an administrative fee of up to $500.

A unanimous board a month earlier had approved the formation of a panel that would work with the village's code enforcement department to train residents to identify code violations throughout the village.

Despite Sarto's appeal, trustees say the board could vote on both items at next week's meeting, since at least two trustees Tuesday requested both items be included on the agenda.

"He is making unilateral decisions again, and he is going against a majority of the board's direction," Trustee Paul Humpfer said. "He is a village president, not a king."

Still, Sarto said the village "should not pursue measures some people could see as targeting Hispanics in the community."

"I realize we voted to do these things, but that was all pre-lawsuit," Sarto said. "The lawsuit changes everything. This stirs the pot when people already feel they are being singled out for punishment."

Last week, Gloria Lopez -- a former Carpentersville resident -- filed a federal lawsuit against the village and two fire department paramedics, claiming paramedics failed to take her son to a hospital after a 911 call last September because he is Hispanic. Osbiel Lopez, who was 4 months old at the time, was left brain-damaged as a result, the lawsuit says.

Trustee Linda Ramirez-Sliwinski said she supported Sarto's rationale.

"We should be moving forward with things that are absolutely positive for the village," Ramirez-Sliwinski said, "not things that are going to penalize residents in any way, shape or form until we know where this is headed. I have to agree that is a smart move on his behalf."

But trustees who introduced both proposals say neither is targeting residents.

"They are targeting people who don't want to purchase insurance and others who don't want to get a driver's license," Humpfer said. "The other one was a recommendation of the village's $65,000 comprehensive plan."

Supporters also say one lawsuit cannot prevent the village conducting business.

"The board voted to move these things forward," Trustee Judy Sigwalt said. "Are we supposed to stop all village business for one person who doesn't live in the village anymore?"