Buffalo Grove will hire independent counsel for recall ordinance

Buffalo Grove will hire an independent counsel to handle any legal matters that might face a local electoral board related to the village's new recall ordinance and efforts to remove Trustee Lisa Stone from the village board.

Village Attorney William Raysa proposed the independent counsel, saying the attorney can prepare the village for possible legal issues - such as conflict of interest - or objections that may be filed with the board.

Hiring outside counsel, Raysa said, would create an environment of independence and facilitate an efficient and effective legal process.

Raysa suggested the village board retain Chicago-based attorney Richard Martens as independent counsel. Raysa said he knows Martens as an experienced municipal lawyer with local electoral board experience. Martens would be compensated at rate of $190 an hour.

One issue facing the electoral board is the short amount of time required for dealing with an objection.