Illegal immigration on center stage again

Illegal immigration will again grab the spotlight tonight at a Carpentersville village board meeting.

Trustees first expect to meet with the village's insurer to discuss the recently filed $30 million lawsuit that accuses the village of discrimination.

The board then will then decide how to proceed with a proposed impound ordinance that drew hundreds of protesters to village hall in August.

Opponents say the proposed law was designed to focus on Hispanics.

Village President Bill Sarto said he plans to go into closed session to consult lawyers from Intergovernmental Risk Management on what the village should and should not do considering the lawsuit.

"I want better information before we move ahead," Sarto said. "We need to make sure we are acting responsibly and not inviting more problems and lawsuits like the one recently filed."

Last month, former Carpentersville resident Gloria Lopez filed a $30 million lawsuit against the village and two fire department paramedics.

The lawsuit, filed in federal court in Chicago, claims her 4-month-old son Osbiel Lopez suffered brain damage in 2006 after paramedics failed to transport him to a hospital because he was Hispanic.

Sarto last week said in light of the lawsuit that he would not include the impound ordinance or appoint members to the Carpentersville Improvement Committee. He said both proposals are discriminatory.

However, at least three trustees requested both items be included on tonight's agenda.

Still, depending on the insurer's advice, Sarto said the village could delay acting on both measures.

The impound ordinance would compel police officers to seize vehicles if a motorist is caught driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or without a valid driver's license or insurance.

A $250 administrative fee, plus towing and storage costs, would be required to collect the vehicle.

Meanwhile, the improvement committee would train residents to spot ordinance violations and report them to the village's community development department.

Trustees, though, say the lawsuit should not prevent the board from making changes.

"We need to keep moving forward," Trustee Judy Sigwalt said. "We cannot be afraid that everything we do is going to get challenged."