Antioch manager wants employees shielded from local politics

Municipal elections aren't until April, but Antioch's top administrator already has made it clear he doesn't want politics interfering with village employees.

Village Administrator James Keim said he recently talked to senior staff about instructing their employees to "respectfully stand aside from politics" if approached by elected officials or potential candidates who want to discuss Antioch government business.

Keim said he'll be the one to provide answers to politicians who want information about village operations.

"Politics in any village can be distracting to day-to-day business," Keim said.

He qualified his directive to say it doesn't apply to personal conversations between elected officials and employees.

Keim said he chose to act after a recent incident between a potential Antioch village board candidate he declined to name and an employee. He said the would-be candidate reportedly suggested the staffer might be promoted if he/she wins in April.

"As village administrator, I am supposed to be the one insulating staff from matters of this nature and preventing staff from being interfered with as they attempt to do their jobs while candidates jockey for public opinion," Keim said.

Some concerns about Keim's request surfaced at the Antioch Police Department before a clarification was issued.

In a Sept. 3 e-mail to police staff, Patrol Operations Cmdr. Ron Nauman wrote that Keim "requested that if any village employee has any communications (business/pleasure) with any elected officials, he wants to be notified of this communication."

On Sept. 7, Nauman sent another e-mail stating Keim only wants to be informed if police employees are approached by politicians on department operational issues such as structure and salaries. He said he hoped the second e-mail clarified the request.

"He's not stepping on anyone's First Amendment rights," Nauman said of Keim.

Keim said his message to Antioch employees was intended to ensure accurate information, use of proper communication channels and respect for the village's organizational structure.

In Gurnee, Assistant Village Administrator Patrick Muetz said there are no formal directives, but managers have talked about reminding employees that all information requests from politicians should be routed through the administrator's office.

Muetz said that position holds even if it's not election season.

In the last election cycle, said Muetz, village hall received some budget-related requests. He said Village Administrator James Hayner allowed those running for office to contact the finance director with questions.