Residents stand behind Glen Ellyn officials

Glen Ellyn leaders didn't make any public decisions Monday night about disciplining two top village administrators over misconduct allegations - but residents continue to praise and support the two under scrutiny.

The village board remained in executive session late Monday night after dozens of residents, business owners, police officers and even a former Glen Ellyn village president all condemned the handlings of allegations against Police Chief Phil Norton and Planning and Development Director Staci Hulseberg.

The board refused to make any public comments.

Attorney Stewart Diamond said changes occasionally need to be made and high level officials have the ability to make them, including in cases that involve lack of faith in an individual.

"I view this as a policy decision which is within the power of the officials," he said. "We are coming quite close to a final decision, and I think one way or another this will be quickly resolved."

Almost 300 people have signed a petition in favor of Norton and Hulseberg. Monday night, community members voiced their opinions about the employees' professionalism, along with how detrimental it would be to the village's future if the two were demoted or removed from current positions.

John Demling, who served as the village's president from 1993 to 1997, said the village is getting bad advice.

"This truly is a policy issue, not a personnel issue," he said. "No policy issue should be made without public input, and I hope you are considering this part the public input portion of your policy decision.

"I have never, ever heard one single individual who believes the board should take the course it appears to be taking, and to me, it's incredible that it's gotten to the point it has. I really think the path you are taking will lead the village in a direction that I don't think anybody wants to go," he said.

Community members encouraged the village board to reconsider any decisions, clarify rumors and provide answers.

Residents also asked many specific questions of the board, but none were answered Monday night.

"I'm trying to get to the facts," resident Jackson Hartley said, "and it's really hard."

Business owner Sue Cleary said she felt very emotionally charged.

"These two fine individuals represent what I love about Glen Ellyn," she said. "There are so many mistakes that people make in their lives, and who are we to judge? You have already affected their lives - let these people continue on doing the fine job that they have."