Big money spent on legal battle between Kane County officials

Latest numbers show Kane County taxpayers have paid out nearly $125,000 so far to fund the legal battle between the county board and Circuit Court Clerk Deb Seyller.

The lawsuit filed by Seyller goes back to last year's budget. Seyller repeatedly asked the board for $550,000 in additional funds so she could meet payroll and run her office at what she deemed to be a minimum level to meet mandates. The board rejected Seyller's requests because it didn't believe Seyller adequately explained why she hired additional staff and filled vacant positions without board permission.

Chief Judge F. Keith Brown is currently overseeing negotiations to reach an outcome that works for both parties. An appellate court has already ruled Seyller can use money in accounts fueled by legal filing fees to fund some of the shortfall.

The lawsuit remains in court to establish a long-term solution since the same problem has popped up in this year's budget.

New numbers show the Aurora law firm of Mickey, Wilson, Weiler, Renzi & Andersson, P.C. representing Seyller has received $109,949.87 to date. The Chicago firm of Ungaretti & Harris representing the county board has received $15,000. That total doesn't include time spent on the case by county board attorney Ken Shepro, who has been present at many of the court appearances.

How much more money Kane County taxpayers will pay for their elected officials' court battle remains to be seen. The case is due back in court Wednesday.

Seyller and County Board Chairman Karen McConnaughay said the parties in the case are under a gag order. They could not comment on the likelihood of the case wrapping up any time soon.