Carol Stream switches attorneys after 40 years

After more than 40 years representing Carol Stream, attorney Stewart Diamond is an apparent casualty of the village's efforts to cut costs.

The village switched from Diamond's law firm of Ancel Glink to Chicago-based Klein, Thorpe and Jenkins, a firm that also has offices in Orland Park and specializes in municipal law.

The village sought bids from six firms before making the decision, Assistant Village Manager Bob Mellor said Tuesday.

Attorney Jim Rhodes now serves as village attorney with Jason Guisinger as assistant village attorney.

In February, the village decided to seek proposals after Ancel Glink proposed a rate increase for the new budget year.

"All contractors we have, at some point or another, ask for increases," Mellor said. "(Diamond) did ask for an increase in the hourly rate and that caused some of the village board to take notice since raises and wages for village employees have been frozen for a couple of years."

Diamond declined to comment other than to say it was a professional move.

Mellor, Trustee Pam Fenner, Village Manager Joe Breinig and village President Frank Saverino interviewed candidates, including Ancel Glink. At Monday's board meeting, a representative for Klein, Thorpe and Jenkins sat in.

Mellor said the firm will take over all open lawsuits and will meet with department heads to get caught up without any additional charges.

The low bid came in at $190 an hour, or about $53 less than Ancel Glink's rate for last year, which was about 3 percent higher than the year before. The move will save the village between $18,000 and $20,000 a year, based on consultations in the past two years, Mellor said.

"You lose some of that institutional knowledge and there's a lot of history there," Mellor said. "But the board felt comfortable that there is enough staff here."

Diamond leaves in the same year Finance Director Stan Helgerson (25 years with the village) and Public Works Director Al Turner (31 years) took buyouts.

Saverino said he did not expect a rate increase and was surprised at the request.

"He (Diamond) knew we were asking people to hold the line and hold the price," he said. "Right now, everybody has to stiffen up and hold the line. He basically opened the door to go out and see what's out there."