Lawyers being picked in potential county vs. county lawsuit

Kane County State's Attorney John Barsanti will select the attorneys who may eventually duke it out if Circuit Court Clerk Deb Seyller decides to sue the county board over ongoing budget strife early next week.

Barsanti said Tuesday that he's already received a list of attorneys from Seyller. He expected to receive a list of potential attorneys from Kane County Board Chairman Karen McConnaughay by the end of the day or Wednesday. Once both lists are in his hands, Barsanti said, he should be able to make his selections "very quickly" and certainly by next week.

Barsanti said the only thing he is looking for in the lists are any attorneys who would not be eligible because they lack a license or credentials or they've faced any disciplinary actions from the Illinois Attorney Registration & Disciplinary Commission.

Barsanti said in cases where he must recuse himself and his office, parties usually offer lists of attorneys they trust or with whom they are familiar. Once the attorneys are selected, taxpayers are ultimately on the hook for any costs incurred for consultation even if a lawsuit doesn't materialize.

County board members have already expressed their desire to work out the situation with Seyller without getting any attorneys involved, but that form of resolution has not yet materialized.